Dozens of employees at the U.S. Department of Education were placed on paid administrative leave as part of the Trump administration’s sweeping initiative to curb diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs within the federal workforce. This move has caused confusion and fear among staff who were previously encouraged to participate in such programs.
According to multiple reports, 55 employees received notifications on Friday night informing them of their placement on administrative leave, effective immediately. These letters noted their email accounts would be suspended, but their paychecks would continue indefinitely. The action was taken following guidance from the Office of Personnel Management, which directed agencies to inform employees involved with DEIA offices of their immediate leave, as the administration works to dismantle these initiatives.
The affected staff includes civil rights attorneys, program managers, and various specialists who do not hold official DEIA roles but had participated in required training during the administration of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Sheria Smith, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, expressed deep concern about the potential fallout from this decision. She indicated many of those affected had taken part in voluntary training known as the “Diversity Change Agent” program, which aimed to encourage inclusive workplace practices.
Smith emphasized the problem was compounded by the fact these employees were actively encouraged to undergo such training, only to now find themselves facing what she calls “shock and awe” tactics from the administration. “They’re trying to intimidate us or to make us run scared so we quit,” she stated, highlighting the precarious situation of the staff members who feel trapped by the administration’s choices.
The emails sent to employees made clear the administrative leave was not regarded as disciplinary yet effectively removed them from performing their duties. “Effective January 31, 2025, you will be placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits,” read one such notice, echoing sentiments from sources across the agency.
Many employees across various roles now worry about their job security, with some fearing this could lead to long-term employment instability or pressure to resign. Smith noted the administration had even suggested some employees might be offered eight months' salary as part of voluntary resignation negotiations.
This move fits within the wider strategy of the Trump administration to reshape the federal workforce, reducing the presence and influence of DEIA efforts throughout government agencies. Similar actions have been reported across other departments, including the Department of Energy, where unrelated roles also faced administrative leave.
The ramifications of this action are expected to ripple through the Department of Education, potentially halting progress on civil rights efforts, particularly those focused on discrimination and student aid issues. According to union representatives, many staff members contributed to initiatives aimed at ensuring schools support students with special needs, among other responsibilities, which may now be jeopardized.
The union is actively seeking details and clarity on how many employees could face similar repercussions, as reports suggest hundreds may be affected. “We’ve filed several requests for information to get a clear idea of what’s happening,” Smith noted, but so far, the agency has provided limited responses.
Concerns about the direction of the agency under Trump’s orders are palpable among employees not only because their participation in DEIA training programs appears to have been weaponized against them but also due to the more general wariness about the administration's intentions to eliminate the Education Department altogether.
A union spokesman, Brittany Holder, sadly reflected, “People are worried and angry,” pointing to the palpable anxiety among those who feel their government positions are being threatened under the new executive order. With various programs already canceled and resources for underrepresented groups substantially reduced, the impact of these changes could severely diminish the department’s operational capacity.
While the Education Department has yet to respond publicly with comments on the situation, the union is preparing to intensify efforts to protect its members and maintain functional operational structures amid the apparent chaos. Smith and her counterparts maintain solidarity, insisting they will not back down from advocating for their fellow employees.
This situation presents not only challenges for the affected workers but could also serve as a larger cautionary tale about governmental labor relations and the future of diversity initiatives within federal agencies, shedding light on the broader societal conversations surrounding DEI efforts across the United States.
Overall, the drastic measures taken by the Trump administration against DEI initiatives within the Education Department put many employees’ jobs and the integrity of the agency’s mission at risk, resulting in confusion, trepidation, and uncertainty about what lies ahead.