President Donald Trump signed a new executive order this week creating two additional federal holidays around Christmas, extending time off for millions of government workers across the country.
The order designates Christmas Eve, December 24, and the day after Christmas, December 26, as days off for most federal employees, effectively creating a five-day break surrounding Christmas Day, which falls on a Thursday this year.
Under the order, all executive departments and agencies of the federal government will be closed on both days, though exceptions are built in for national security, defense, and other essential public needs.
Agency heads are permitted to require certain offices or employees to remain operational.
Workers in law enforcement, healthcare, emergency services, and other critical roles may still be required to report to duty.
“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered,” the executive order states. “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 move gives most federal employees a rare five-day stretch off work at the height of the Christmas season, a decision the White House framed as a morale boost.
Trump’s decision is not unprecedented, but it goes further than typical holiday scheduling practices in Washington.
During his first term, Trump granted federal workers Christmas Eve off in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In 2020, when Christmas Eve fell on a Thursday, he provided a full day off, per Trending Politics.
Former President Barack Obama took similar action in 2014, the last time Christmas landed on a Thursday, by giving federal employees December 26 off.
Presidents have the authority to issue executive orders granting additional days off without congressional approval, as the policy applies only to the executive branch and is limited to a specific year.
The announcement comes just days after Trump unveiled another Christmas-related move aimed at rewarding service members.
During a primetime address, Trump announced that all U.S. service members would receive a $1,776 “warrior dividend” as a Christmas gift.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Thursday that the bonus will be tax-free and is already in the process of being distributed.
“Thanks to President Trump’s unwavering commitment to our warriors and the provisions in the one big, beautiful bill, more than 1.45 million service members will, in the coming days, receive a one time tax free bonus,” Hegseth said.
“I can think of no better Americans to receive this check right before Christmas, whether it’s for pay, housing, base support, or other needs.”
The White House has framed the holiday order and military bonus as part of a broader effort to boost morale, reward public servants, and reinforce the administration’s Christmas message.
