Christmas break just got longer for most federal employees after President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting two additional days off around the holiday. The move gives many workers a rare five-day stretch away from the office, combining Christmas Day with the surrounding days and the weekend.
Under the order, federal employees will be excused from duty on both Dec. 24 and Dec. 26. “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.
The decision marks an uncommon step. Presidents often grant either Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas, but rarely both. The White House framed the policy as a practical accommodation while still allowing flexibility. Agency heads retain authority to keep offices open for “national security, defense, or other urgent public need,” according to the order.
The directive also clarifies that the added days off will be treated like federal holidays for pay and leave purposes. The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with carrying out the policy across the federal workforce.
The order builds on past precedent. Former President Joe Biden gave federal employees Christmas Eve off last year. During Trump’s first term, he granted an extra day off for Christmas Eve in 2018, 2019, and 2020. When Christmas fell on a Thursday in 2014, former President Barack Obama approved only Friday, Dec. 26, as a day off, leaving Dec. 24 as a regular workday.
This year’s decision sets a broader standard, giving federal workers additional time with family while preserving operational authority for essential services during the Christmas break.
