President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring December 24 and December 26, 2025, as paid holidays for most federal employees. The directive closes executive departments and agencies on those days in addition to the existing Christmas Day holiday on December 25. For many federal workers, this effectively creates a five‑day Christmas break — from Wednesday, December 24, through Sunday, December 28 — because the holiday falls on a Thursday this year.
Under the order, Wednesday, December 24, and Friday, December 26 will be treated like federal holidays for pay and leave purposes. That means eligible federal employees will receive their regular pay for those days without having to use annual leave, providing an intentional, uninterrupted holiday period around Christmas.
This move builds on a common practice where presidents sometimes grant holiday leave — historically, leaders have given either Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas off, but issuing both days is less common.
The executive order does not permanently change the federal holiday calendar; it applies only to the 2025 Christmas period. Department and agency heads retain discretion to require certain employees to work on December 24 or December 26 if their roles involve “national security, defense, or other urgent public need.” This maintains continuity of essential services even during the extended break.
Although federal offices will be closed on those two days, not all public services will necessarily shut down. Agencies with independent operating status, such as the United States Postal Service, may keep offices open (with adjusted hours or schedules) despite the federal holiday designation.
For example, the Social Security Administration clarified that benefits and customer services will continue, with field offices open at reduced hours on the holiday dates, ensuring that critical functions remain accessible.
While the order creates a long holiday for federal employees, it does not require private employers to give their workers the same days off. Private employers decide independently whether to grant holidays, and many will continue regular schedules on December 24 and December 26.
Presidents have occasionally issued one‑time holiday declarations around Christmas before. Former President Joe Biden granted Christmas Eve off for federal workers last year when the holiday fell midweek, and President Trump did so previously during his first term. However, this year’s action — granting both Christmas Eve and the day after — is a more expansive temporary break than usual. It does not add new permanent federal holidays but treats these specific dates as excused days for 2025.
In honor of our nation's founding in 1776, President Trump is sending every US soldier checks for $1,776.
It's almost like he's telling us we're secretly fighting the same war once again against globalist Central Bankers in England to once again become a sovereign nation. 😎 pic.twitter.com/VFkg5PlfVx
— Bridgett Fertig (@LightOnLiberty) December 18, 2025
