Federal Employees Placed On Leave For Attending DEI Training That Was Launched During Trump’s 1st Term

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When it comes right down to it, President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI warpath has been a performance for white nationality America. His second term will likely be defined by two things: its ruthless and dehumanizing attack on immigrants and the wrecking ball he has taken to the federal government in his agenda to rid America of anything even tangentially related to diversity, equity and inclusion — even if it means upending the DEI programs that were launched during his first term. (Yes, you read that right. Trump launched DEI efforts during his first go-round, denounced all things DEI towards the end of that term, and is now convincing white America that he is the savior who will deliver them from the DEI Devil.)

NBC News reported that dozens of federal employees have been placed on paid leave simply because they had attended a diversity training course, according to Sheria Smith, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, which represents hundreds of Education Department employees. But here’s the rub: the diversity training course in question, titled the Diversity Change Agent Program, was promoted by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who served during Trump’s first term. It’s the wildest turn of events since — *checks notes* — Trump launched the air traffic controller diversity program in 2019 that he is now, in 2025, erroneously suggesting contributed to the air collision in Washington, D.C., last week.

Smith said that at least 55 employees had been placed on leave as of Friday evening and that she expected more federal employees to be added to that list.

From NBC:

The affected workers included 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.

A letter to the affected employees, obtained by NBC News, said they would continue to receive their full salaries and benefits and would not be required or expected to do any work-related tasks or to come into the office during the leave. It also said their email access would be suspended.

“It looks like they’re entrapping people, because they encouraged people to take these trainings … and are now maybe using these trainings as a basis to put them on administrative leave,” Smith said.

She added that she is worried that Trump, who has said he wants to eliminate the Education Department, hopes “employees will eliminate themselves.”

“I think it is shock and awe. They’re trying to send us emails that make no sense and are super confusing to intimidate us or to make us run scared so we quit,” she said.

“They’re trying to make employees feel like they will soon get fired. And at the same time, they are trying to entice employees with an offer to pay them eight months’ salary if they just resigned,” Smith added. “So it seems as if you’re choosing between affirmatively resigning, where they’re saying that you might possibly get paid eight months’ salary and benefits, or eventually getting fired.”

In fact, according to a White House email sent out in 2019, the Education Department had a goal of training 400 employees under the program. Smith and Brittany Holder, a spokeswoman for the American Federation of Government Employees, believe hundreds of employees attended the training course.

“The Department’s strategic and comprehensive approach to equipping staff with skills in leading a diverse workforce includes the Diversity Change Agent Program,” the email read, according to NBC. “Graduates of this course are expected to serve as role models, spending some of their official duty time performing activities designed to improve the Education Department’s capacity to attract and retain a diverse workforce. This effort is essential to sustaining a clear and effective Department-wide program.”

“Thank you for helping us move toward achieving the goal of 400 Diversity Change Agents ED-wide,” the email added. “Your positive actions are the catalyst on our journey to achieving ED’s diversity and inclusion objectives.”

Oh, what a difference six years makes.

So far, Trump’s anti-DEI orders have rolled back Civil Rights era legislation, caused federal agencies to refrain from publicly celebrating Black History Month, banned trans people from serving in the military, and caused countless federal employees to be placed on leave with the apparent expectation that they will ultimately resign. But he’s making America great again by reinforcing white nationalism by serving as an enemy to DEI — all while hoping no one remembers that he, as president, has been part of the DEI machine himself. Go figure.

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