Arrested After 4 PM on Thanksgiving?! Don’t Fall for This Holiday Hoax

A viral video has been circulating online, claiming the U.S. government will enforce a nationwide curfew at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The clip warned that anyone outdoors after that time could be arrested, restaurants would close, and highways would be blocked.

None of this is true.

No federal agency has issued a holiday curfew, no states are enforcing one, and no such emergency order exists. The video is fabricated to alarm viewers and spread fear.

While the curfew rumor is fake, holiday travel safety is a real concern. 

In Texas, some people wonder whether DUI checkpoints are in place during the holidays. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas law does not allow sobriety checkpoints. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in 1991 that checkpoints violate Article 1, Section 9 of the Texas Constitution, which protects residents from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Instead, law enforcement focuses on increased patrols and other strategies to catch impaired drivers. This means Texans can celebrate Thanksgiving knowing that while police are working to keep roads safe, there are no blanket roadblocks or checkpoints.

With false alarms cleared up, families can focus on what truly matters this Thanksgiving: sharing meals, laughter, and time together.