Posted on January 27, 2025

Education Department Puts DEI Employees on Paid Leave, Slashes ‘Harmful’ Initiatives

Kristina Watrobski, CITC, January 23, 2025

The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday it has taken steps to “eliminate” diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, just days after President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to do so.

The Education Department said in a press release it has begun dropping references to “harmful” DEI initiatives from its public-facing communication channels. Hundreds of documents, training materials and reports discussing the subject have also been removed or archived from outward-facing communication channels, according to the department.

Additionally, the department said it has placed employees “charged with leading” DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave. A memo issued this week by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) had instructed federal agencies to put such employees on paid leave by Wednesday evening.

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Other actions highlighted by the department include the termination of its “Diversity & Inclusion Council,” established under former President Barack Obama, and the removal of its “Employee Engagement Diversity Equity Inclusion Accessibility Council.” DEI trainings and service contracts for the department were also cancelled, according to the press release.

“Pursuant to OPM guidance, the Department will continue its comprehensive review of all agency programs and services to identify additional initiatives and working groups that may be advancing a divisive DEI agenda, including programs using coded or imprecise language to disguise their activity,” the Education Department wrote. “Careful review of all public sites and media channels for DEI language and resources will also continue.”

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