President Donald Trump announced that most federal employees will receive two additional paid days off around Christmas under an executive order signed Thursday afternoon. According to reports, eligible federal workers will now be excused from duty on December 24 and December 26, effectively creating a five-day holiday break when combined with Christmas Day and the weekend. This extension allows federal employees to enjoy a longer festive period with family and friends, providing a rare reprieve from their typical responsibilities. In an era where work-life balance is increasingly emphasized, the move highlights the administration’s focus on recognizing and rewarding the contributions of federal employees across the country, signaling a commitment to morale and employee satisfaction.

The executive order explicitly 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 day before and the day following Christmas Day, respectively.” Historically, presidents have typically granted either the day before or the day after Christmas off, making it uncommon for both to be designated as holidays. By offering both days, the administration allows employees more time for travel, family gatherings, and personal reflection, creating an unusually generous holiday observance within the federal workforce. Early reactions from federal workers have been largely positive, with many welcoming the opportunity for an extended period of rest and celebration during the festive season.

The order also includes provisions to ensure essential operations continue uninterrupted and to clarify pay treatment for the additional days off. Agency heads retain the authority to keep certain offices open if national security, defense, or other urgent public needs require it. Furthermore, the executive order specifies that the new days off should be treated like federal holidays for purposes of pay and leave calculations. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has been tasked with implementing the policy consistently across federal agencies. These measures are designed to provide federal employees with the benefits of a longer holiday while maintaining continuity of critical services, balancing employee recognition with operational necessity.

Federal holiday schedules around Christmas have varied among administrations. Last year, then-President Joe Biden granted Christmas Eve off for federal employees, while during Trump’s first term, workers received extra leave on Christmas Eve in 2018, 2019, and 2020. When Christmas fell on a Thursday in 2014, President Barack Obama granted only December 26 as a day off, leaving December 24 as a regular workday. In this context, Trump’s decision to provide both the day before and the day after Christmas represents a notable departure from recent precedent. It underscores a focus on employee morale and an acknowledgment of the importance of extended holiday time, providing federal workers with an opportunity to celebrate more fully with family and friends than in most previous years.

In addition to granting additional leave to federal employees, Trump announced a one-time bonus for U.S. military personnel during a nationwide address. Over 1.45 million service members will receive $1,776, a figure symbolically referencing 1776, the year of American independence. The bonuses are intended as part of the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, which will occur on July 4, 2026. Trump referred to the payments as a “warrior dividend” and noted that the initiative had been planned for some time but had not previously been publicized. The announcement emphasized the administration’s recognition of military contributions, blending symbolic patriotism with tangible financial support, and underscored the broader theme of rewarding service and commitment across both civilian and military sectors.

The timing of these announcements coincided with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a $901 billion defense package passed by the Senate with strong bipartisan support, 77-20. While the NDAA is typically routine, this year’s legislation faced some turbulence in the House due to debates over provisions such as easing certain airspace restrictions above Washington, D.C., following a tragic helicopter and passenger jet collision earlier in the year. Despite these discussions, the final passage of the NDAA ensures continuity in national defense funding and policy. Together with the executive order on holiday leave and the military bonus, the administration’s actions signal a coordinated effort to reward public service, boost morale, and celebrate both civilian and military contributions during the year-end period.

Overall, Trump’s executive order and military bonus announcement reflect a broader strategy to recognize and incentivize service across government and the armed forces. By providing federal employees with additional paid leave around Christmas and granting military personnel a symbolic and financial reward, the administration combines practical benefits with expressions of patriotic sentiment. Operational exceptions remain in place for essential services, ensuring that national priorities are maintained, but the measures represent a significant gesture of appreciation. As the holiday season approaches, federal employees and service members are positioned to enjoy both tangible and symbolic recognition, marking a distinct chapter in the history of federal holiday observances and year-end acknowledgment programs.

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