Dozens of workers at the Education Department found themselves on paid leave last Friday as the Trump administration continues its sweeping effort to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives across the federal workforce. According to sources familiar with the situation, these employees were told their email accounts would be suspended but they’d still receive their paychecks indefinitely.

The move stems from a January 21 directive issued by the White House’s Office of Personnel Management, which instructed agencies to halt all DEIA-related programs and place employees in these roles on administrative leave. The Education Department is the latest to face this shake-up as the administration reshapes the federal workforce to align with its priorities.

At least 55 employees, including long-serving senior-level staff, were notified of the change late Friday night. The American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing these workers, shared that those affected included civil rights attorneys, grant office staff, and even members of the artificial intelligence team. Many of these employees don’t hold official DEIA titles but had participated in diversity training or volunteer programs, such as planning Black History Month events.

Sheria Smith, union president for Education Department career employees, explained that the 2019 diversity training encouraged by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos may have put hundreds more staffers at risk. “This isn’t just about DEIA offices. It’s impacting people who handle critical issues like student discrimination and antisemitism complaints,” Smith told CNN.

The union has filed multiple requests for more details but hasn’t received clarification on how many employees will ultimately be affected. The agency itself has yet to comment on the situation.

This development follows a broader White House order last month to end DEIA programs in hiring and federal contracting. Critics argue the move halts essential work, leaving many wondering what’s next for these employees and the programs they support.

The New York Times was the first to report on the letters sent to Education Department employees, revealing the scope of this latest step in the administration’s DEI purge.