Dozens of Department of Education employees received letters on Friday night placing them on “administrative leave,” effective immediately.
While no specific reason was given, employees told ABC News on Sunday that they believe the only common thread between them is that they attended a voluntary diversity training program in 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first term.
ABC News has obtained the letter which states that the administrative leave notice is not for disciplinary purposes; rather, the letter said it’s related to Trump’s executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Employees were told to await “further guidance from OPM,” according to the letter, referencing the Office of Personnel Management.
Per the letter, employees will receive full pay and benefits through the end of the administrative leave, but they are not required to do work-related tasks during this time or come into the office. At the same time, the impacted employees had their government email access suspended.
Sheria Smith, the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252 president, told ABC News that over 50 employees in “extremely diverse roles” within the department had received the emails after regular business hours this weekend.
Smith said she fears more letters will be sent in the coming days.
ABC News did not receive an immediate response to a request for comment from the DOE.
-ABC News’ Arthur Jones II