Executive Order 14371—Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2025, and December 26, 2025
Issued 2025-12-18 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This executive order directs all federal executive departments and agencies to close on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025. It instructs employees to be excused from duty on those days. However, department and agency heads can make exceptions for specific offices or installations that must remain open due to national security, defense needs, or other public requirements.
The order references previous executive orders and statutes related to employee pay and leave, and it tasks the Director of the Office of Personnel Management with implementing the order. The executive order is intended to be consistent with applicable law and dependent on available appropriations.
Finally, the executive order clarifies that it does not create any legal rights for individuals and specifies that the costs of publishing the order will be covered by the Office of Personnel Management.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 14371 addresses "Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2025, and December 26, 2025". Executive orders are a long-established exercise of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington. They are grounded in Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive power in the President and directs them to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
Executive orders cannot create new law, contradict existing federal statutes, or exceed the President's constitutional authority. The legitimacy of any specific order depends on whether it operates within statutory authority Congress has delegated, directs the executive branch on matters within its constitutional purview, or attempts to substitute executive policy for legislative choices. Courts can and do review executive orders for conformity with the Constitution and federal law.
Official Summary
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