Executive Order December 18, 2025

Providing for the Closure of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2025, and December 26, 2025

Government Reform Labor Public Safety Defense

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In Simple Terms

The President has ordered that government offices will be closed on December 24 and 26, 2025. Some workers may still need to work if their job is important for public safety.

Summary

President Donald Trump issued an order to close all executive departments and agencies of the federal government on December 24 and December 26, 2025, granting federal employees time off around Christmas. However, the heads of these departments and agencies can require certain offices to remain open and employees to report for duty if necessary for national security, defense, or other public needs. The order ensures that these days off are treated in accordance with existing laws regarding federal employee pay and leave. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is tasked with implementing the order, which is to be executed within the bounds of applicable laws and budgetary constraints.

Official Record

Awaiting Federal Register

Published on WhiteHouse.gov

View on WhiteHouse.gov

December 18, 2025

Pending Federal Register publication

Analysis & Impact

💡 How This May Affect You

Working families and individuals: More time for family gatherings, but potential delays in government services.
Small business owners: May experience slower processing of government-related paperwork.
Students and recent graduates: Possible delays in federal loan processing or other government services.
Retirees and seniors: Potential delays in accessing federal services or benefits.
Different regions (urban, suburban, rural): Rural areas might face more pronounced delays in federal services.

🏢 Key Stakeholders

Federal employees benefit from additional paid leave, enhancing work-life balance.
National security and defense sectors may face staffing challenges on closure days.
Office of Personnel Management oversees implementation and coordination of closures.
Essential service departments may require certain employees to work despite closures.
Employee unions and advocacy groups likely support additional holiday leave benefits.

📈 What to Expect

Short-term (3–12 months):

Planning for essential services continuity begins.
Public informed of federal holiday closures.
OPM issues guidance for holiday pay and leave.

Long-term (1–4 years):

Increased employee morale due to extended holiday.
Precedent set for future holiday closures.
Minimal impact on government operations observed.

📚 Historical Context

Similar closures by Presidents Eisenhower (1954) and Obama (2012) for Christmas Eve.
Builds on Executive Order 11582 by Nixon, standardizing holiday-related closures.
Notable for including both December 24 and 26, expanding typical holiday closures.
Allows agency discretion for national security, reflecting flexibility seen in past orders.
Historically, such closures often boost federal employee morale during holiday seasons.