in effect
This is an executive order (EO 14371, signed December 18, 2025) granting federal employees two additional days off around the Christmas holiday. It is a routine administrative action presidents have used for decades to give federal workers the days immediately before and after Christmas Day when Christmas falls mid-week.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve) and Friday, December 26, 2025 (the day after Christmas) are designated as non-workdays for all executive branch departments and agencies. Employees excused on those days receive the same pay and leave treatment as on any other federal holiday, under the authority of existing law (5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b)) and Executive Order 11582. Agency heads retain the authority to require specific offices or employees to report on either day if national security, defense, or other public need demands it. The Office of Personnel Management is directed to handle any administrative steps needed to carry out the order.
Federal civilian employees across all executive departments and agencies are excused from duty on both days, effectively giving most of them a five-day weekend. Employees in roles deemed essential for national security or other critical public functions may still be required to work on one or both days, at their agency head’s discretion. The order does not apply to Congress, the courts, or any non-executive-branch entity.