Thousands of federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion employees woke up to discover they are now placed on paid administrative leave due to a new executive order from President Trump.

This comes as President Trump is dealing with more backlash for his broad January 6th pardons and ramping up his immigration policies.

It's unclear how many will be affected. Capitol Hill responded.

“What you see under President Trump, reacting to the feelings of the American people, is to go back to a race-neutral, gender-neutral system based on merit,” said Louisiana Senator John Kennedy.

“I think this DEI leave is just another example of a kind of cruelty and pettiness,” added Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.

It comes amid backlash from police organizations and lawmakers in both parties over President Trump's blanket pardon for roughly 1,500 January 6th rioters.

This includes those convicted of violent crimes, like beating officers and shocking them with their own tasers.

“To me, I just can't agree. I'm about to file two bills that will increase the penalties up to and including the death penalty for the murder of a police officer,” said North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis.

Jackson Reffitt, who reported his father Guy Reffitt, who was seen during the Capitol attack now fears for his safety.

“It goes far beyond my dad. There are people out there that I get death threats by the minute now. I mean, people feel so validated,” said Reffitt.

On immigration, President Trump is now directing the Justice Department to make identifying undocumented immigrants and prosecuting violations a top priority.

This would include prosecuting state and local officials who resist enforcing new immigration laws.

As Defense and White House officials told NBC News, the administration is preparing to send 1,000 more active duty troops to the border that Trump has ordered sealed.

NBC News has now spoken to Guy Reffitt, the released January 6th defendant and father of the young man in our story who fears for his safety.

Guy Reffitt said his message to his son is that he loves him as families across the country navigate a quickly-changing situation.