President Donald Trump signed on Friday an executive order giving federal workers a paid day off on Christmas Eve.

The news surprised federal workers who were expecting to work at most half a day.

"All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Thursday, December 24, 2020, the day before Christmas Day," the order stated as quoted in a New York Post report.

However, the order maintained that some departments, agencies, and employees related to defense, national security, and other public needs must still report on duty on Dec. 24.

Trump has given federal employees an extra day off before Christmas for three consecutive years.

Last year, Trump had closed federal agencies, the first president to do so since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt granted the day off on Dec. 24 when Christmas Eve fell on a Tuesday.

The president had also given federal employees a day off in 2018, even when the occasion fell on a Monday.

Trump has been a huge advocate of celebrating the holidays and noted before taking office that politically correct Democrats were waging war against Christmas.

Trump reiterated the statement at a Saturday rally for two Republican senators in a runoff race. He warned that his political enemies still want to erase the holiday.

The president then wished the crowd a very Merry Christmas, noting that they started five years ago.

There is no guarantee that the president in their term will give federal employees an extra day off around Christmas. Christmas Day is a federal holiday. However, Christmas Eve is not.

The decision to declare Christmas Eve as a federal holiday is entirely up to the president. Each former United States president had handled the decision differently. 

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Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton only have half days when Christmas was set on a Friday, as it does this year.

GovExec earlier reported that Obama allowed a half-day in 2015, as well as in 2009. In 1998, Clinton also allowed a half-day during his term.

George W. Bush, on the other hand, gave federal employees a break on Dec. 24 in both 2007 and 2001.

White House Décor

Meanwhile, First lady Melania Trump unveiled the White House holiday decorations last week of November, following a controversy that emerged over her recording making negative remarks about decorating for Christmas, as reported by USA Today.

Melania posted a virtual tour of the traditional decorations in a post she shared to her Twitter.

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In a statement, Melania said that this year's theme is a "tribute to the majesty of our great Nation." 

"During this special time of the year, I am delighted to share 'America the Beautiful' and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation. Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home," the first lady wrote as caption to the video. 

The décor showcased the traditional style of Christmas decor with lots of Christmas trees, white lights, and red ornaments.