Dozens of U.S. Department of Education officials were placed on paid administrative leave due to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government. The affected employees, including civil rights attorneys and IT specialists, were informed that the decision was not disciplinary but in compliance with the executive order. The American Federation of Government Employees reported that at least 55 staffers received leave notices, with more expected.

The Education Department did not comment on the matter, but it is believed to be linked to the employees’ participation in the “Diversity Change Agent” program aimed at creating an inclusive workplace culture. Internal emails from 2019 show encouragement for staff to engage in the training during Trump’s first term.

The Education Department has already terminated contracts related to DEI trainings, removed DEI resources from hundreds of webpages, and darkened informational resources for LGBTQ students, Hispanic-serving universities, and tribal colleges. The impact of these actions on educational institutions and marginalized student populations remains a topic of concern.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of these sudden administrative actions on the education sector and the affected employees raise questions about the future of diversity initiatives in government agencies and the broader educational landscape.