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President Trump signs order giving federal employees Christmas Eve off

WASHINGTON — Despite a looming potential government shutdown, President Donald Trump has signed an order giving all federal employees Christmas Eve off.

Trump issued the order Tuesday that stated "all executive departments and agencies of the federal government shall be closed" on Monday. The order continued the trend of giving federal employees the extra day off when Christmas is on a Tuesday, USA Today reported.

>> Read: Government shutdown: What will close; will you get your Social Security check, SNAP, WIC?

Presidents George W. Bush, and Barack Obama did the same during their terms, The Washington Post reported.

The only employees required to work on Monday will be ones responsible for "national security, defense or other public need," USA Today reported.

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The announcement came with the threat of a partial government shutdown that could happen if a funding bill isn’t approved by Friday looming,

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President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, in Washington. He signed an executive order to give all federal employees Christmas eve off.