Christmas is coming early (and staying late) for federal employees this year. President Donald Trump announced they would have both Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) off next week.
In an executive order, the president excused federal employees from their duties on both days, “except those who, in the judgment of the head of the agency, cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.” Christmas Day is already a federal holiday.
“For pay and leave purposes, this period will be treated as falling within the scope of statutes and Executive orders governing holidays for Federal employees,” said a Thursday memorandum to the heads of federal departments and agencies. Most employees excused from duty should expect to receive basic pay.
An employee who was previously scheduled to take annual leave on December 24th and/or on “December 26th will not be charged annual leave (or any other form of paid leave, compensatory time off, or credit hours) for his or her scheduled workday,” the memo added. An employee who is required to work non-overtime hours on December 24th and/or on December 26th is entitled to holiday premium pay.”
This announcement comes on the heels of multiple polls showing that Trump’s economic approval rating is faltering amid another U.S. holiday season clouded with concerns about inflation, housing costs and other expenses. It also comes at the end of a year when Trump and his administration – including the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative led by non-elected entrepreneur Elon Musk – slashed federal jobs.
During a speech this week, Trump praised his administration’s economic achievements, including the impact of a controversial tariff plan. He also announced “Warrior Dividend” checks for military members.