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EO 13852Executive OrderTrump 45 · R

Executive Order 13852

Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 5, 2018

This executive order closes all federal executive departments and agencies on December 5, 2018, as a mark of respect for former President George H.W. Bush following his death. Agency heads may exempt certain offices and employees for national security, defense, or other public need, and the closure is treated as a federal holiday for pay and leave purposes.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 62687

Impact dates

  1. Federal government closure for George H.W. Bush memorial

Key directives

  • All executive departments and agencies closed December 5, 2018
  • Agency heads may exempt offices/employees for national security, defense, or public need
  • December 5, 2018 treated as federal holiday for pay and leave purposes under EO 11582 and 5 U.S.C. 5546, 6103(b)
  • OPM Director to implement order

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • EO issued December 1, 2018
  • OPM Director authorized to implement

Near term (90d)

  • December 5, 2018 federal closure

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Minimal operational tension; standard post-presidential death protocol
  • Vague exemption criteria ('other public need') leave discretion to agency heads without guidance
  • No contingency for emergency federal services beyond agency head discretion
Executive Order 13852: Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 5, 2018 · Executive Orders