Trump Gifts Most Federal Workers Additional Time Off With Pay for Holidays

President Donald J. Trump moved Thursday to deliver a rare holiday benefit for America’s federal workforce, signing an executive order granting most federal employees two additional days off around Christmas—an unmistakable signal of appreciation from the White House as the year draws to a close.

Under the order, eligible federal workers will receive paid leave on December 24 and December 26, effectively creating a five-day holiday break when combined with Christmas Day and the weekend, Fox News reported. The decision goes beyond recent precedent and marks one of the most generous Christmas leave policies for federal employees in years.

“All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, the day before and the day following Christmas Day, respectively,” the order stated.

While presidents have occasionally authorized either Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas as a federal holiday, granting both days is highly uncommon. The move reflects President Trump’s broader emphasis on morale, stability, and rewarding service—principles that have defined much of his second-term governance.

The order does allow for flexibility, noting that agency heads may require certain offices to remain operational for reasons of “national security, defense, or other urgent public need.” It further specifies that the added days off will be treated like federal holidays under existing pay and leave rules, according to Fox News. The Office of Personnel Management has been directed to implement the policy across the federal workforce.

By contrast, former President Joe Biden granted federal employees Christmas Eve off last year. During President Trump’s first term, federal workers received an extra day off for Christmas Eve in 2018, 2019, and 2020. When Christmas fell on a Thursday in 2014, former President Barack Obama authorized only Friday, December 26, leaving Christmas Eve as a regular workday.

The holiday announcement came amid a series of high-profile moves from the Trump administration this week. During a nationwide address Wednesday evening, President Trump revealed that U.S. military personnel will receive a one-time $1,776 bonus—timed to honor the nation’s founding and ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in July 2026.

“Along with the just passed one Big Beautiful bill, tonight, I am also proud to announce that more than 1450 thousand — think of this: 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special — we call it warrior dividend, before Christmas, a warrior dividend,” Trump said.

“In honor of our nation’s founding in 1776, we are sending every soldier $1776. Think of that. And the checks are already on the way. Nobody understood that one until about 30 minutes ago,” he added.

The announcement followed Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, a sweeping $901 billion defense package that advances several of President Trump’s national security priorities. The bill passed the upper chamber 77–20, reflecting strong bipartisan backing for the annual legislation.

While the NDAA typically moves through Congress with limited drama, this year’s process was not without friction. The House encountered turbulence over several provisions, and even in the Senate, unresolved disputes raised concerns until the final vote.

One of the most contentious issues drew bipartisan resistance: a proposal to relax certain airspace safety restrictions over Washington, D.C., following a deadly collision earlier this year between a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial passenger jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that claimed 67 lives.

As the administration closes out the year, President Trump’s actions—rewarding federal workers, honoring the military, and advancing national defense—underscore a governing philosophy rooted in service, security, and respect for America’s institutions.