President Trump Orders Federal Offices Closed on Dec 24 and 26, Granting Extended Christmas Holiday for Employees

Washington, Dec 2025 : US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order closing all federal executive departments and agencies on Wednesday, December 24, and Friday, December 26, providing government employees with two additional days off around the Christmas holiday.

The order, signed at the White House, directs that “all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty” on the specified dates immediately before and after Christmas Day.

While the closures apply broadly, the order allows agency heads to keep certain offices or facilities open and require employees to report for duty if necessary “for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.” This ensures that essential government services continue without disruption during the holiday period.

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has been tasked with taking all necessary steps to implement the order.

Trump signed the directive on December 18, formalizing the temporary closure of federal offices as part of the administration’s holiday schedule. This practice follows a long-standing tradition in which US presidents provide federal employees with additional time off during major holidays, particularly Christmas, while maintaining operational exceptions for critical functions.

Christmas Day itself is a federal holiday in the United States, when most government offices are already closed. By adding closures on December 24 and 26, the executive order effectively extends the holiday period, allowing federal employees a longer break to celebrate, subject to operational requirements and public service needs.

The move has been welcomed by government employees who will benefit from an extended holiday period, while agencies continue to ensure that vital services remain operational.