"While most federal offices-such as Social Security Administration field offices and passport agencies-will be dark, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is an exception. Despite being a federal establishment, USPS operations are largely funded by revenue rather than tax dollars. Post offices are expected to remain open on Christmas Eve (likely with shortened retail hours) and resume normal operations on Dec. 26. Mail will be delivered on both days, though not on Christmas Day."
""All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025," the executive order says, although it includes a crucial caveat allowing agency heads to keep offices open for "reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.""
"While the move is generous, it's not without precedent. Presidents often issue executive orders closing the government on Christmas Eve when it falls mid-week. Trump did this in 2018, 2019, and 2020. President Barack Obama also closed the government on Dec. 26 in 2014. However, securing both surrounding days is a rarity. And crucially, Trump's executive order does not not legally compel banks, markets, or private enterprises to close."
The executive order designates Wednesday, December 24, 2025 and Friday, December 26, 2025 as federal holidays for executive branch employees, effectively creating a five-day weekend for many non-essential federal workers. Agency heads retain authority to keep offices open for national security, defense, or other public needs. Most federal offices such as Social Security field offices and passport agencies will be closed. The U.S. Postal Service will largely remain open with mail delivery on December 24 and 26 but not on Christmas Day. The order follows presidential precedent yet does not compel banks, markets, or private enterprises to close, producing varied operating hours.
Read at Fortune
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