Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump recently designated December 24 and 26, 2025, as federal holidays, granting additional paid time off for certain government employees. This executive order, signed on December 18, aims to offer a small token of appreciation to federal workers, though many will remain unaffected by these changes.

The official declaration applies only to executive departments and agencies, meaning that employees within the federal government—such as those in the IRS and the Department of Education—will enjoy time off. However, this move is limited to 2025, requiring Trump to issue a new order for holidays in subsequent years. Additionally, the executive order does not extend these benefits to employees in the legislative and judicial branches or to workers in the private sector.

As news of the holiday designation spreads, potential federal employees and the workforce at large may remain wary. If your job lies with private companies or state employees, the new holidays do not apply. Companies like Microsoft or McDonald’s, for example, are not affected, leaving many workers to continue their routines without benefit of the time off.

Further complicating matters is the fact that agency heads have the authority to determine which offices will remain open during these holidays. This means that some federal employees may still be required to report to work, especially in departments deemed critical for national security or public needs.

This recent declaration arrives at a time when the federal workforce is shrinking significantly. With over 300,000 federal employees set to lose their jobs by the end of 2025, the announcement of additional holidays could be seen as a bittersweet gesture. Many employees have either faced layoffs or have resigned amid fears of job instability, making the extra time off feel somewhat hollow for those affected.

Despite the additional days off for some, the broader context presents a picture of uncertainty for federal workers. The aim of offering more holidays might have noble intentions, but the backdrop of significant job losses casts a shadow on this holiday initiative.

As the end of the year approaches and federal holidays are reassessed, many will be left pondering what this gesture truly represents for the remaining workforce and whether it can adequately compensate for the ongoing upheaval within their ranks.