Executive Order 14371, signed on December 18, 2025, directs the closure of federal executive departments and agencies on Wednesday, December 24, and Friday, December 26, 2025 — the days immediately bracketing Christmas Day. This is a temporary, one-time administrative action applicable specifically to executive branch departments and agencies; it does not extend to the legislative or judicial branches, state and local governments, or the private sector. Consistent with a long-standing presidential tradition of extending holiday observances when Christmas falls mid-week, the order reflects standard federal workforce management practice rather than a significant policy shift. Senior leaders should note that the order does not create a new permanent federal holiday; rather, it designates these two dates within the existing pay-and-leave framework — specifically Executive Order 11582 and 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b) — solely for compensation and leave purposes applicable to this instance.
Critically, this is not a universal shutdown of federal operations. Section 2 preserves agency discretion to keep mission-critical functions running: agency heads retain authority to determine that certain offices, installations, or employees must remain operational on either or both days when required by national security, defense, or other public need. Senior decision-makers should understand that continuity of essential services is explicitly protected, and agencies bear responsibility for identifying and activating those exceptions as appropriate to their missions.
The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is designated as the responsible official for implementing the order, with OPM also bearing publication costs. Standard general provisions confirm that the order does not override existing legal authorities of agency heads or the Office of Management and Budget's budgetary and administrative functions, and it creates no enforceable legal rights for any individual party. The order takes effect immediately upon signing, with the designated closures applying on December 24 and December 26, 2025.