President Trump just handed federal employees a festive surprise with a pair of new holidays around Christmas.
Through an executive order issued Thursday, federal workers now have Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas off, as reported by the New York Post.
This move builds on Trump's earlier decisions to grant Christmas Eve as a day off in 2019 and 2020. Adding December 26 to the list, though, marks a fresh step beyond what past presidents typically offered.
Trump's latest gesture stands in sharp contrast to his earlier gripes about the growing number of national holidays. He once vented on Truth Social, “Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed.”
That June post around Juneteenth painted a picture of a leader frustrated by what he saw as excessive downtime. Yet, here he is, carving out more holiday space for federal workers, perhaps signaling a softer spot for Christmas traditions.
One can't help but notice the irony of expanding breaks while previously slamming the calendar's clutter. This Christmas decision might just be a nod to values that resonate deeply with many Americans over progressive additions to the holiday roster.
The timing of this executive order carries weight, coming after federal employees endured a grueling 43-day government shutdown that ended last month. Many faced uncertainty and financial strain during that record-breaking standoff.
Granting these extra days off feels like a small but meaningful gesture to ease the sting of recent hardships. It’s a way to acknowledge their service while the nation pauses for the holiday season.
Agency heads, however, retain the authority to call essential staff into work on both Christmas Eve and December 26. Not everyone gets to sip hot cocoa by the fire, even with Trump's order in place.
Federal holidays often set a precedent that private companies might choose to mirror. Trump's action could ripple outward, encouraging businesses to offer similar time off around Christmas.
That said, permanent national holidays require Congressional approval, not just a presidential pen stroke. These two days remain a one-time or discretionary benefit for now, not a fixture on the calendar.
It's worth pondering whether this move aligns with a broader push for traditional family time over newer, ideologically charged observances. The contrast with Juneteenth’s muted recognition under Trump, or the National Park Service’s recent shift away from certain free entrance days, suggests a deliberate focus.
Speaking of National Park Service changes, Trump's administration recently reshuffled free entrance days, prioritizing dates like Presidents Day and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday. Meanwhile, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth were dropped from the list.
This recalibration, alongside the Christmas holiday expansion, hints at a preference for holidays tied to national unity or historical figures over others rooted in specific social narratives. It’s a quiet but pointed redirection of what gets celebrated publicly.
For federal workers, though, the immediate takeaway is clear: two extra days to recharge with family this Christmas season. Whether this sparks a larger debate on holiday priorities or simply fades as a seasonal gift, Trump has made his mark on the calendar with a nod to tradition and a break for those who serve.
