President Donald Trump has announced that federal employees will receive additional days off on Christmas Eve and the day following Christmas in December 2025. This executive order, released by the White House, designates Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as mandatory holiday closures for all executive departments and agencies.
While it will be a holiday for most federal workers, certain offices will remain operational due to national security, defense, or other public needs. For instance, mail services in Mississippi will still function, with post offices open on Christmas Eve, although residents are advised to check local hours. Regular mail delivery will also continue on December 26.
This move to provide extended holidays isn’t unprecedented; previous presidents have done the same. Trump granted federal workers time off on Christmas Eve during his first term, including the years 2018 through 2020. His successor, President Joe Biden, also designated December 24, 2024, as a day off for federal employees, while President Barack Obama recognized December 26, 2014, as a holiday.
According to data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management from September 2024, there are approximately 19,690 federal workers in Mississippi. As 2026 approaches, federal employees can also look forward to various holidays including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Independence Day, among others, ensuring that workers enjoy a well-deserved break amidst their duties.
This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment to enhancing work-life balance for federal employees, ensuring they have the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with their families and loved ones.