Trump declares Oval Office and Cabinet Room a national monument
The move requires congressional approval for major changes, a step taken two days after Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections.
By Daphne Turner ·
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday designating the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room as a national monument. The action is intended to prevent future presidents from making major structural changes to those specific rooms without congressional consent.
The proclamation states that future administrations may still redecorate the spaces and select furnishings. However, any significant modifications must be approved by Congress. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the designation would ensure the rooms are not 'taken down, destroyed, touched or anything else.' He added that he expects members of Congress to be 'smart enough' to block such changes.
This legal maneuver follows a pattern of public remarks focused on White House renovations since the midterm elections. On Wednesday, Trump addressed reporters at the construction site of a new White House ballroom. He described the White House as the 'ultimate symbol of America' that must remain 'pristine' and 'perfect.' The ballroom project involves demolishing the historic East Wing, a move that has drawn criticism from preservation groups.
The new monument status distinguishes the Oval Office from other parts of the residence. The White House has been a U.S. National Historic Landmark since 1960. Trump’s proclamation argues that the Oval Office requires specific recognition as a 'discrete historic structure of national significance.' Unlike the ballroom, the Oval Office typically undergoes cosmetic updates with each new administration rather than structural overhauls.
Trump returned to office last year and completely redecorated the Oval Office with extensive gold detailing. In his remarks on Thursday, he noted that he has achieved 'victories' in the room, though he acknowledged there have been 'some mistakes, too.' He did not elaborate on those mistakes.
When asked what Congress should prioritize during the remaining two months of Republican control, Trump shifted the focus to his own record. He claimed to be the president who has 'done more' than any other, citing his efforts on the border and the stock market. This emphasis on physical infrastructure and personal legacy marked his second public appearance in two days following the election.
