Donald Trump makes Christmas Eve a full holiday for federal workers for third year in a row as he continues support for the Christian holiday
President Donald Trump has opted to give most federal workers a full day off for Christmas Eve.
Trump released an executive order on Friday closing all executive agencies and departments on Thursday, December 24, 2020 and excusing federal workers from their duties.
It is the third year in a row that Trump has made Christmas Eve a full-day holiday for federal workers.
The last time Christmas fell on a Friday was in 2015, when former President Barack Obama gave federal employees a half-day off on Christmas Eve, according to Federal News Network.
President Donald Trump has opted to give most federal workers a full day off for Christmas Eve
Trump's order allows that certain employees may be required to work on Christmas Eve 'for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.'
When Trump closed federal agencies last year, he became the first president since Franklin D. Roosevelt make Christmas Eve a full holiday when it fell on a Tuesday.
Trump also gave federal employees Christmas Eve off in 2018, when it fell on a Monday.
Although Christmas Day is a designated federal holiday, there is no guarantee that federal workers will get extra time off for Christmas Eve.
Trump made support for Christmas part of his campaign in 2016, vowing that he would support the holiday against the 'war on Christmas.'
The National Christmas Tree is illuminated outside of the White House in Washington
The decision rests with the president, and each has handled it differently.
Obama did give federal employees a full day off on Friday, December 26 in 2014, when Christmas Eve fell on a Wednesday.
In 2012, he gave workers the day off on Monday, December 24.
But Obama and President Bill Clinton only gave a half-day off when Christmas Eve fell on a Thursday, as it does this year, in 2015, 2009 and 1998.
President George W. Bush gave federal workers Monday, December 24 off in both 2007 and 2001.
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