Washington, Dec 19 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order mandating the shutdown of federal executive departments and agencies on December 24 and December 26, effectively providing government employees with two extra days off during the Christmas holiday season.

This directive, signed at the White House, states that "all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty" on the Wednesdays and Fridays surrounding Christmas Day.

However, the order permits agency leaders to maintain certain offices or facilities operational and call employees to duty when necessary "for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need," ensuring critical services remain accessible during the holiday.

The Office of Personnel Management Director has been instructed to take the necessary actions to implement this order.

Trump's order, signed on December 18, officially directs the temporary closure of federal offices as part of the administration’s holiday schedule.

Historically, US presidents have utilized executive orders to offer federal employees additional time off during major holidays, particularly around Christmas, while making allowances for essential government operations.

Since Christmas Day is already a federal holiday in the United States, when most government offices are closed, these additional closures on December 24 and December 26 effectively extend the holiday period for federal workers, subject to operational requirements and public service needs.