Trump freezes Oval Office design via national monument status

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday designating the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room as a national monument. The move requires future presidents to obtain approval from Congress before making major modifications to those spaces.

The White House has held the status of a U.S. National Historic Landmark since 1960. Trump’s new document argues that the Oval Office merits specific recognition as a discrete historic structure. He stated that the decree sends the designation to Congress for ratification.

“It won’t be able to be taken down, destroyed, touched or anything else,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office after the signing. He added that he hopes members of Congress will be smart enough to block major alterations.

This announcement followed a similar focus during his public remarks at the new White House ballroom construction site on Wednesday. That was his first media appearance since Republicans lost significant ground in the midterm elections. He described the White House as the ultimate symbol of America that must remain pristine.

The proclamation allows future leaders to redecorate and select furnishings. It also permits ordinary operational and security changes. However, those actions cannot substantially impair the historic structure or architectural character of the rooms.

Trump redecorated the Oval Office with extensive gold detailing when he returned to office last year. He contrasted the current project with the ballroom construction, which involved demolishing the historic East Wing. Preservation groups have criticized the ballroom work, but the Oval Office typically sees only cosmetic updates between administrations.

During the same press interaction, Trump described his tenure as a tremendous two years. He cited efforts on the border and the stock market as key achievements. He noted that there have been some mistakes but did not elaborate on what those errors were.