Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2024

This executive order closes all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2024, excusing federal employees from duty, while allowing agency heads to keep essential operations open for national security, defense, or other public need. It ensures affected employees receive appropriate pay and leave treatment under existing statutes.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 104857

Impact dates

Dec 24, 2024
Federal government closure and employee excusal from duty

Key directives

All executive departments and agencies closed December 24, 2024
Employees excused from duty on December 24, 2024
Agency heads may exempt certain offices/installations/employees for national security, defense, or public need
December 24, 2024 treated as covered holiday under EO 11582, 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b) for pay/leave purposes
OPM Director to implement the order

Who is ordered

OPM Director · OPM
Agency Heads · Various

Timeline

Immediate

OPM Director directed to take implementation actions

Near term (90d)

December 24, 2024 federal closure takes effect

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Minimal tension: routine holiday closure with standard exemption authority for essential services
Vague 'other public need' exemption criterion leaves discretion entirely to agency heads
No specified deadline for OPM implementation actions