Most Federal Employees Get Christmas Eve Off, Biden Orders

WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden signed an executive order Thursday that will close federal agencies on Christmas Eve and give most federal employees the day off.

"All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, the day before Christmas Day," the order states.

Additionally, the order authorizes agency heads to identify offices or installations that must remain open and staffed on Dec. 24 for national security, defense, or other public needs. Otherwise, all other employees will have the day off.

While Christmas Day is a federal holiday, Christmas Eve is not, meaning there is no guarantee that employees will get extra time off. The president makes the decision each year.

According to Federal News Network, President-elect Donald Trump gave federal employees an extra day off for Christmas Eve in 2020, 2019 and 2018. Former President Barack Obama gave federal employees the day off in 2014 and 2012. Former President George W. Bush gave federal workers the day off in both 2007 and 2001.

Here is the full text of the order:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, the day before Christmas Day.

Sec. 2. The heads of executive departments and agencies may determine that certain offices and installations of their organizations, or parts thereof, must remain open and that certain employees must report for duty on December 24, 2024, for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.

Sec. 3. December 24, 2024, shall be considered as falling within the scope of Executive Order 11582 of February 11, 1971, and of 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b) and other similar statutes insofar as they relate to the pay and leave of employees of the United States.

Sec. 4. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement this order.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.