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.

In an ironic twist, the Trump administration appears to be punishing Department of Education employees for attending diversity training

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.

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.