Dozens of employees who attended a diversity training course encouraged by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during President Donald Trump’s first term have been placed on paid leave, a union official told NBC News.

A second employee took the same training: a “diversity change agent” training course. The second employee said that they were initially encouraged to take the course under Trump-era Secretary Betsy Devos. So many people wanted to take the class that it wasn’t until the following year, they said, until there was an opening.

A purge of the Department of Education (DOE) may be underway, as the Trump administration put numerous employees on paid leave allegedly for attending a voluntary diversity training program. Prior to the 2024 presidential election,

Employees who received the memo were surprised by the action as the “Diversity Change Agent Program” was once encouraged during Trump's first term.

A union president said it appears the Trump administration is trying to punish employees for partaking in training encouraged by Trump appointees.

Some federal employees at the Education Department have been placed on administrative leave for previously attending a diversity training.

Dozens of Education Department employees who attended diversity training during President Donald Trump’s first term have been placed on paid leave under a new order targeting DEI programs, according to union official Sheria Smith.