Trump Declares Oval Office National Monument
The new designation allows future presidents to redecorate, though it requires Interior Department review before major structural changes.
By Samira Khalil ·
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday declaring the Oval Office and Cabinet Room a national monument. The move came immediately after his party lost control of key legislative seats in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Trump described the action as a shield against future leaders who might alter the space.
The new status does not freeze the room’s appearance. The document explicitly states that the designation will not restrict a president’s authority to redecorate, select furnishings, or make ordinary operational modifications. A future president can still change the layout or style of the office. The proclamation only requires the Interior Department to document, review, and consider alternatives before any action that would substantially alter or demolish the historic structure.
Trump contrasted his view with the legal text during remarks at the White House. He argued that if a successor wanted to change the room’s shape, they would need to go back to Congress for approval. The proclamation itself does not contain this congressional review requirement. Trump noted that he previously reversed national monument designations made by his predecessors, a fact that complicates his claim of permanence.
The signing took place against the backdrop of ongoing construction projects. On Wednesday, Trump signed the final beam for his new ballroom. On Monday, he discussed renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. On Thursday, a red baseball cap reading “VETO” sat on the Resolute Desk as he signed the document, referencing the shift in congressional power.
Democrats have begun scrutinizing these changes. Senator Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent letters to donors of Trump’s ballroom. He demanded information from them or faced “alternative measures to obtain compliance.” Trump has also faced lawsuits alleging that his Washington beautification projects proceeded without necessary approvals.
Since returning to office, Trump has overseen extensive design changes. The Oval Office now features gold wall appliqués, gold-framed portraits, and a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Trump said he installed new chandeliers in the Cabinet Room to fix “very bad lighting.” He said he would return if anyone ever decided to knock down walls to ensure the room’s form remains intact.
