Federal employees across the United States were granted an unexpected and welcomed gift this holiday season when President Donald Trump signed an executive order giving federal workers two additional days off during Christmas week. The order, issued on December 18, 2025, designated Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Friday, December 26 as official holidays for federal government departments and agencies. Combined with the traditional federal holiday of Christmas Day on December 25, this action effectively created a five-day weekend for most federal employees.
The move was greeted with enthusiasm by the federal workforce, many of whom saw the extended break as a much-needed opportunity to rest, spend time with family, and enjoy the holiday season without the stress of commuting or office responsibilities. By closing government offices on both sides of Christmas Day, the administration offered a rare, uninterrupted stretch of time off during one of the most significant cultural and religious holidays in the country. For thousands of workers across various federal departments, from the Department of Education to the Environmental Protection Agency, this break served as a gesture of appreciation for their service.
The executive order instructed that all executive departments and agencies of the federal government be closed, and their employees excused from duty on December 24 and December 26, 2025. It also clarified that for purposes of pay and leave, the closures would be treated as official federal holidays. Employees who were scheduled to work would not have to use their personal leave to take these days off. However, as with similar executive orders in the past, the directive allowed heads of agencies to determine whether certain employees were required to report to duty due to national security, emergency response, or other essential operational needs. This exception applied to workers in areas like defense, public safety, and emergency medical services, where staffing is vital regardless of the holiday calendar.
While the president’s decision did not establish a permanent change to the federal holiday schedule, it followed a tradition of similar executive actions taken during past administrations. Presidents have occasionally issued one-time orders to close government offices around major holidays, especially when Christmas falls midweek or when an extended break is seen as beneficial for workforce morale. These decisions are typically well received by federal employees, although they do not alter the list of permanent federal holidays codified in U.S. law. Any permanent additions would require congressional approval.
Across Washington, D.C., and in federal offices nationwide, the additional holidays had a noticeable impact. Government buildings and administrative offices went quiet, as did many courtrooms and public agencies that rely on federal schedules. Mail delivery schedules, passport processing, and other public services were briefly paused or adjusted. The closures also influenced some private sector workplaces, with certain companies following the federal lead and granting their employees additional leave to align with government operations. Others offered flexible scheduling or work-from-home options during the holiday week.
For many public sector employees, especially those who had endured years of increased workload and staffing shortages, the gesture was seen as more than a logistical convenience—it was symbolic recognition. It came at the end of a year filled with policy debates, shifting administrative priorities, and challenges related to implementing federal programs under evolving political pressures. The extended time off was widely interpreted as a morale booster, allowing employees to reconnect with loved ones and return to work feeling recharged.
Union leaders representing federal employees, including those from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), praised the decision. They emphasized the importance of rest and recovery in maintaining a productive and motivated workforce. While acknowledging that essential personnel would still need to be on duty, they encouraged agencies to fairly compensate those working over the holiday and to consider time off for those employees during quieter periods in the new year.
Not all responses were positive. Some fiscal conservatives criticized the move as costly and unnecessary, pointing to the potential loss in productivity and the strain on services that depend on continuous operation. However, historical precedent and public sentiment appeared to support the temporary closures. Analysts noted that such executive orders rarely result in significant financial burdens and often contribute to better workforce satisfaction and retention.
Ultimately, the closure of federal offices on both December 24 and December 26 was a moment of holiday relief in an otherwise demanding year for public servants. For most of the federal workforce, the five-day weekend was a rare chance to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the season without distraction. While the order does not affect future years, it reaffirmed a longstanding tradition of using executive authority to grant holiday leave in recognition of both the season and the people who serve the nation year-round.
