U.S. Weighs Naval Escorts for Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

The Trump administration is considering special U.S. naval escorts for commercial tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The plan would seek to restore shipping confidence and reduce disruptions in the key waterway.

Earlier this week officials announced the transfer of special education oversight and civil rights enforcement from the Department of Education to other federal agencies. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will move to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Civil rights enforcement and student privacy protection responsibilities will shift to the Department of Justice.

Kim Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights, and Kim Rogers, acting assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services, signed a letter describing the changes.

“With this in mind, and after careful consideration, OSERS will be partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the administration of programs for infants, toddlers, children, students and individuals with disabilities." — Kim Richey and Kim Rogers, letter The letter also noted that the Office for Civil Rights employs attorneys who address discrimination in K-12 schools and universities based on disability, gender, race, and national origin. The Department of Justice will provide training and advisory support to schools under the new arrangement. President Trump signed an executive order earlier this year directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to states and local communities. In March, McMahon implemented a reduction in force that eliminated 1,315 positions. Prior to the March layoffs, hundreds of Education Department staff had been placed on leave or accepted buyout offers. Some staff returned after the layoffs, though most did not. Seventy-five percent of attorneys in the DOJ Civil Rights Division have departed, according to Justice Connection. Department of Education officials stated the transfers aim to reduce federal bureaucracy and improve efficient delivery of federally funded programs. The vessels' operators have not been publicly identified by the U.S. government.”