Dallas County readers note: Trump signs proclamation to protect White House rooms

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday designating the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room as a national monument. The move aims to restrict major structural changes to those spaces by future administrations. Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office immediately after signing the document.

The president stated that the designation requires Congress to ratify the change. He said the rooms would not be able to be taken down, destroyed, or touched without approval. Trump added that he hopes lawmakers are smart enough to prevent major modifications from proceeding.

This action follows a period of intense focus on White House renovations. Trump addressed the media at the construction site for a new White House ballroom on Wednesday. That was his first public appearance after Republicans lost seats in the midterm elections. He used the opportunity to discuss the ballroom project rather than the election results.

Trump described the White House as the ultimate symbol of America. He said it must remain pristine and perfect. The new ballroom construction involves demolishing the historic East Wing. Preservation groups have criticized that specific project. The Oval Office, by contrast, typically undergoes cosmetic updates with each new president.

The proclamation allows future presidents to redecorate the Oval Office. They can select furnishings and make ordinary operational or security modifications. However, they cannot substantially impair the historic structure or architectural character. The White House has held official status as a U.S. National Historic Landmark since 1960.

Trump returned to office last year and redecorated the Oval Office extensively. He filled the room with gold accents. In the proclamation, he argued that the Oval Office merits specific recognition as a discrete historic structure of national significance. He also noted that the space has seen victories during his tenure, while acknowledging that mistakes have occurred as well.

When asked about congressional priorities, Trump referred to his first two years in office. He called the period tremendous and claimed no previous president had done more. He cited efforts regarding the border and the stock market. His final campaign message on Monday also focused on renovation efforts. That speech took place at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been closed since July due to renovation issues.