Dozens of Education Department employees were put on paid administrative leave as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts within the federal workforce. The employees were informed that their email accounts would be suspended, but they would continue to receive pay indefinitely. This action was in response to guidance from the White House’s Office of Personnel and Management to close all DEIA initiatives, offices, and programs.

At least 55 Education Department employees, including long-serving senior-level career workers, were affected by this move. Interestingly, some employees who attended diversity training seminars under both the Trump and Biden administrations were among those placed on leave. The union representing these employees expressed concerns about potential broader impacts, as hundreds more staff members could be affected due to past participation in diversity training.

Despite efforts to gather more information from the agency, the union has not received additional details. The White House’s decision to place government DEI employees on administrative leave and cease the use of DEI in hiring and federal contracting has raised concerns about the mission of the agency being hindered. Agency leaders were also directed to identify and report any attempts to conceal DEI programs in federal job and contract descriptions since the last election.

This move reflects broader efforts by the current administration to reshape the federal workforce in alignment with its priorities, sparking debates and concerns about the implications of dismantling DEIA efforts within government agencies.