President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday making Christmas Eve and December 26 official federal holidays.
“All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, the day before and the day following Christmas Day, respectively,” the order stated.
Trump’s order gives federal workers a 5-day, paid holiday break for the first time in history.
It is common for the federal government to remain open on Christmas Eve or on the day after Christmas. But giving federal employees both days off is unprecedented.
Last year, former President Joe Biden gave federal employees Christmas Eve off.
Christmas Day, December 25, is already a federal holiday.
Trump’s executive order means all non-essential U.S. federal government offices and agencies are closed for 3 days straight.
Additionally, banks, post offices, and government buildings will be closed for 3 days to observe the Christmas holiday.
Trump said the 5-day Christmas break gives additional time off for federal workers to spend with their families.
Trump’s directive gives federal employees 13 annual holidays off with pay.
Essential employees such as law enforcement and national security are expected to continue working on those days.
The executive order gives agency heads the authority to choose who works and who takes all 3 days off with pay.
Question: If you are a federal employee, are you happy that Trump gave you Christmas Eve and December 26 off with pay?
