Biden gives most federal employees Christmas Eve off

On December 20, 2024By Littum

Federal agencies will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 24, President Joe Biden announced, giving federal employees an extra day off the day before Christmas.

The president made the announcement via an executive order that he signed on Thursday.

“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 executive order said.

There is no guarantee that presidents will give federal employees extra time off around Christmas.

Christmas Day is a federal holiday, but December 24 is not. The decision rests with the president, and each has handled it differently.

Despite the order, some union employees will still report to work on December 24.

“The heads of executive departments and agencies may determine that certain offices and installations within their organizations, or portions thereof, shall remain open and that certain employees shall report for duty on December 24, 2024, for reasons of national security, defense, or otherwise . public need,” the executive order states.

President-elect Donald Trump, during his first term in office, gave federal employees an extra day off for Christmas Eve in 2020, 2019 and 2018.

In 2014 former President Barack Obama gave federal employees a day off Friday 26 December In 2012 he has gave employees a day off on Monday 24 December. Former President George W. Bush gave federal workers the day off on Monday, December 24 in the both 2007 and 2001.