WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an government order closing most federal government departments and businesses on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, giving many authorities staff an prolonged five-day Christmas break.
The order excuses federal staff from obligation on Christmas Eve, and Friday, Dec. 26, the day after Christmas Day, which falls on a Thursday this 12 months. Christmas Day itself is already a federal vacation.
“All government departments and businesses of the Federal Authorities shall be closed and their staff excused from obligation on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, the day earlier than and the day following Christmas Day, respectively,” the order states.
Exceptions permit company heads to require staff to report for obligation if wanted for nationwide safety, protection or different public wants.
The 2 days shall be handled as holidays for pay and depart functions below current statutes.
As federal staff put together for the prolonged vacation, the White Home itself is adorned for the season below the path of first woman Melania Trump.
This 12 months’s theme, “House Is The place the Coronary heart Is,” options patriotic crimson, white and blue accents, greater than 50 Christmas timber, 75 signature wreaths with crimson bows on the home windows, hundreds of blue butterflies symbolizing transformation and renewal, and distinctive components together with Lego portraits of President Trump and George Washington within the Inexperienced Room.
The Purple Room highlights Trump’s “Be Greatest” initiative with ornaments and butterflies tied to fostering the long run for kids.
The East Room celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with nationwide symbols, whereas the Blue Room tree honors Gold Star households.
A standard gingerbread White Home is displayed within the State Eating Room. Volunteers helped set up the decorations, which embody over 25,000 toes of ribbon and 10,000 butterflies, amid ongoing renovations following the demolition of the East Wing.
