United States President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order granting federal government employees time off on Christmas Eve, December 24, and Boxing Day, December 26.
The decision effectively gives federal workers a five-day break, as Christmas Day falls on a Thursday this year, creating excitement.
According to the executive order, all executive departments and federal agencies will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, and Friday, December 26, excusing employees from official duties on both days.
The additional days off bring the total number of federal holidays in the United States this year to 13.
This is not the first time Trump has approved Christmas Eve as a holiday for federal workers. During his first term in office, he granted the same privilege in 2019 and 2020, when December 24 fell on a Tuesday and a Thursday, respectively.
Earlier this year, in May, Trump also declared November 11 and May 8 as national holidays to mark victories in World War I and World War II.
