As the festive season nears, a new holiday announcement by President Donald Trump has brought attention to how federal holidays work in the U.S.
In December, Trump signed an executive order giving extra days off to federal employees, adding to the usual Christmas break. But how does this affect everyone else? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 Declared Federal Holidays – But Only for Government Staff
Donald Trump signed an executive order on December 18 declaring both Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) as official holidays—for federal employees only. This order extended the usual holiday on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) into a longer weekend for government workers.
But this doesn’t apply to everyone. Private companies don’t have to follow this rule. They can choose to give a day off, but it’s up to them. In short, if you work for the central government, you may get a longer break. But if you work for a private company, your schedule likely remains unchanged.
Who Still Has to Work on These Extra Holidays?
Even within the federal system, not every employee gets an automatic day off. According to the order, agency heads can ask certain staff to report to work if needed. This is common for essential services like defence, security, or healthcare.
In private companies, unless your employer decides otherwise, you’ll most likely work as usual on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26.
Why Didn’t These Days Become Permanent Holidays?
To make a federal holiday permanent, it needs to pass through Congress and be signed into law by the sitting president. That didn’t happen here. Trump’s decision is temporary just for this year.
Other presidents have done this before. For example:
- Barack Obama gave Dec. 26 off in 2014.
- Trump himself gave Christmas Eve off in 2019 and 2020.
But unless a law is passed, these kinds of holidays won’t repeat every year.
What Will Stay Open and Closed on Dec. 24, 25, and 26?
Here’s a quick look at what’s open and what’s not around Christmas:
| Date | Government Offices | Banks | Post Offices | Private Retail Stores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 24 | Closed (federal) | Open | Open | Mostly Open (e.g., Target till 8 PM) |
| Dec. 25 | Closed (official) | Closed | Closed | Closed (Target, Walmart, Costco) |
| Dec. 26 | Closed (federal) | Open | Open | Open (Normal hours) |
So, unless it’s Christmas Day, most regular services and stores will be open. Only federal offices get the additional holidays.
Trump Thinks There Are Too Many Holidays Already
Interestingly, Donald Trump has also criticised the increasing number of holidays in the U.S. He’s said on multiple occasions that too many non-working days are hurting the economy and that “we were workers then, and we are workers now.”
On Juneteenth, a federal holiday added in 2021, he posted that it costs the country billions to close businesses and claimed, “the workers don’t want it either.”
Still, despite these views, he’s issued several new temporary holiday proclamations like:
- Victory Day (WWII) – May 8
- Victory Day (WWI) – Nov. 11 (already Veterans Day)
- Gulf of America Day – Feb. 9
Donald Trump’s executive order gave federal workers a longer break this Christmas by declaring Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 as holidays but this doesn’t change much for most Indians living in the U.S. or working in private sectors.
The move is temporary and mostly symbolic. While such gestures show appreciation for government staff during the holiday season, they don’t create lasting changes unless passed into law. And with Trump’s mixed opinions on holidays, it’s hard to say if future ones will follow.
FAQ:
Q1. Did Donald Trump make Christmas Eve a federal holiday?
Yes, but only for federal government employees and only for this year through an executive order.
Q2. Is Dec. 26 a public holiday in the United States?
No, it’s not a permanent public holiday. Trump declared it a temporary federal holiday for 2025, just for federal employees.
Q3. Do private companies have to give a holiday on Dec. 24 or Dec. 26?
No, private companies are not legally required to follow federal holiday announcements. They decide their own holiday policies.
Q4. Will this happen every year going forward?
Not unless Congress passes a law. This holiday break is only for 2025 unless made permanent through legislation.
Q5. What services will be open on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26?
Most private businesses, banks, and post offices will be open on Dec. 24 and 26. Only Christmas Day (Dec. 25) sees widespread closures.
This article is accurate in facts….but the authors distain for Trump and her TDS is on full display. I have worked for the federal govt since 1987 (military for 23+ years and now as a contract employee). These additional holidays have been used on many occasions. In the 80s we would get a four day weekend around Easter…but that was done away with. We used to get Washingtons and Lincolns birthdays off separately, but they were combined into Presidents day. Matin Luther king day was added after the combination happened. This all really is a nonissue but the article is worded to somehow create anger maybe?
I am so tired of the negative. We know the liberal press hates Trump but can you give it a break for Christmas? You have become what you used to say you condemned. Hateful.
How do you spell people to live and you only give them $9 94 a month to pay the bills and still have not have enough money to pay the bills the parents have to help special people on social SSI and they don’t make crap and you expect people to live on that it’s not fair to the other people other people make more money unless ISI and disability and they get more and others on it getting $994 a month 47 only gets $790 a month and you smack them to live what they make and they’re barely making it really