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At least 60 employees received leave notices after attending a 2019 diversity training

The Education Department placed several federal employees on leave Friday for their association with “diversity, equity, and inclusion” following Trump’s executive order banning DEI programs.

The employees received leave notices citing the President Donald Trump’s executive order banning DEI in federal agencies and “further guidance from the Office of Personnel Management,” Politico reported.

However, the employees’ union, American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, said anyone who attended a voluntary training called the “Diversity Change Agent Program” might receive a notice.

The two-day event was held in March 2019 and was promoted by then-Secretary Betsy DeVos during Trump’s first administration, The Hill reported.

Sheria Smith, president of the union, told USA Today that at least 60 employees had received leave notices, and the number is expected to increase.

“We suspect this was an act of intimidation,” Smith said. “But I know many employees who are not going to up and quit. The members I’ve talked to are resolute to continue working for the American public.”

She also said the union is preparing to file “potential grievances,” USA Today reported.

Employees placed on leave include “a public affairs specialist, civil rights attorneys, program manager analysts, loan regulators and employees working to ensure schools accommodate special needs children with individualized education programs,” NBC News reported.

Brittany Holder, a spokesperson for the union, said only two of the employees placed on leave held DEI-specific roles. The rest had simply attended the training.

As a result, some of the employees are pushing back.

Civil Rights Attorney Subodh Chandra, who is representing one of the employees on paid leave, said his client was placed on the employment, engagement, and diversity and inclusion council established during Trump’s first term.

“My client, a veteran, did nothing to violate any executive order. Nor did any of his similarly situated colleagues. He doesn’t even run a ‘DEIA’ project,” Chandra said.

“He was only a member of an inactive committee on which he was appointed by Trump’s own political appointees from the first term,” the attorney said.

However, an Education Department spokesperson said the decision was part of “evaluation staffing in line with the commitment to prioritizing meaningful learning ahead of divisive ideology in schools and putting student outcomes above special interests.”

“President Trump was elected to bring about unprecedented reform to the federal civil service to ensure it is merit-based and efficient at serving the interests of the American people,” spokesperson Madi Biedermann said.

Last month, Trump’s Education Department dismantled its DEI measures and removed its related staff following the president’s executive order. The department also canceled $2.6 million in DEI contracts and removed over 200 related web pages from its website, The College Fix reported.

MORE: New research identifies more than 1,100 DEI-related jobs at University of Michigan

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