President Donald Trump has signed an executive order granting federal employees two extra days off around Christmas, creating a three-day break from Wednesday, 24 December through Friday, 26 December. The order closes federal agencies on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, with Christmas Day falling on Thursday.
The move follows Trump’s earlier criticism of Juneteenth, a federal holiday established by President Joe Biden in 2021. In a post on Truth Social, Trump complained that there were “too many non-working holidays in America,” adding that it was “costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed.”
Trump’s executive order notes that some agency heads may require certain offices or employees to remain open or on duty during the two additional days. This is not the first time a president has designated Christmas Eve a holiday: Trump did so in 2019 and 2020, and Barack Obama granted Boxing Day off in 2009. However, permanent federal holidays require legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president.
With the addition of 24 and 26 December, there will be 13 federal holidays in 2026. Separately, the National Park Service has announced free admission on several days next year, including Trump’s birthday, but notably excluding Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. The policy takes effect on 1 January 2026.
