Providing For The Closing Of Executive Departments Andagencies Of The Federal Government On December 24, 2025, And December 26, 2025
Summary
This executive order, issued by President Trump on December 18, 2025, mandates the closure of all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government on December 24 and December 26, 2025. This provides federal employees with additional time off around Christmas Day. The order allows agency heads to determine essential functions that must remain operational for national security, defense, or other public needs.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect is a temporary closure of federal offices, granting most federal employees two extra days of leave. Certain critical services will continue to operate as determined by agency heads. The order also clarifies how these days off will be treated in terms of pay and leave under existing regulations.
Potential Benefits
- Provides federal employees with additional time off during the Christmas holiday season, potentially boosting morale.
- Allows employees to spend more time with family and contribute to local economies through holiday spending.
- Acknowledges the importance of work-life balance for federal employees.
- Potentially reduces operational costs for those two days, depending on the nature of the agency's work.
- Aligns with the spirit of the holiday season.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential disruption of government services, although mitigated by the provision for essential services to remain open.
- Possible delays in processing paperwork or other routine government functions.
- Costs associated with publishing the order, although these are designated to be borne by the Office of Personnel Management.
- Inconvenience for citizens who may need to access government services on those days.
- Potential for increased workload for employees before and after the closure to compensate for the downtime.
Constitutional Alignment
The President's authority to issue this order stems from the powers vested in the President by the Constitution and laws of the United States. While the Constitution does not explicitly grant the power to close federal offices for holidays, it is generally understood to fall within the President's executive authority to manage the operations of the executive branch. The order does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional provision or individual right.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).