Extended Holiday Break for Federal Employees: President Trump Grants Two Additional Days Off
Federal employees will have an extended holiday break this year, as President Donald Trump has issued an executive order granting them two additional days off. The order mandates that executive branch agencies close on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 26, surrounding Christmas Day. This will result in a five-day weekend for most federal workers from Dec. 24-28. While agency heads have the authority to require certain employees to work on those days for specific reasons, the two extra days will be considered federal holidays for pay and leave purposes, potentially making employees eligible for holiday pay provisions. This practice of granting extra time off around Christmas is not uncommon and has been done by presidents of both parties in the past, although it is not an annual occurrence and typically only includes Christmas Eve. Last year, then-President Biden's order provided federal employees with Tuesday, Dec. 24 off.
In conclusion, federal workers can look forward to a longer holiday break this year, thanks to the recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The additional days off on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 will allow most employees to enjoy a five-day weekend around Christmas, with the option for certain individuals to be required to work based on national security, defense, or public need. This gesture of granting extra time off during the holiday season is a common practice by presidents, offering federal employees a well-deserved break to celebrate with their loved ones.