Trump declares Oval Office a national monument to prevent changes
Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 6 Nov, 01:39 · Archive
Donald Trump signed a proclamation Thursday designating the Oval Office and Cabinet Room national monuments to prevent future presidents from altering them.
Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday declaring the Oval Office, the Outer Oval Office and the Cabinet Room national monuments and federal landmarks. Trump said the measure would prevent future administrations from altering the spaces, which he has extensively refurbished with gold adornments including appliqués, cherubs and urns, and framed portraits.
Trump told reporters from the Oval Office that the spaces would not be "able to be taken down, destroyed, touched or anything else". He stated the proclamation would make it "impossible for anybody ever to destroy this incredible space". The president said he wanted to prevent future occupants from making changes such as altering the oval shape of the room or replacing features with alternatives.
The announcement came two days after the midterm elections in which Democrats won enough seats to gain control of Congress. Trump framed the proclamation as preserving spaces of national significance. According to the BBC, the entire White House building is already designated as a National Historic Landmark, and American presidents currently have the power to make some changes to the building, though large projects require Congress's permission.
The BBC reports that Trump's order includes a provision stating it does not restrict his own authority to redecorate the monument, select furnishings, or make ordinary operational and security modifications that do not substantially impair the historic structure or architectural character. Trump said the Oval Office is "a symbol like the White House itself. It's a symbol of our country and the greatness of our country".
The proclamation is part of a broader series of post-election public appearances by Trump highlighting White House construction initiatives. He has also detailed planned updates to the White House and held press briefings at the construction site of a new White House ballroom. Trump has prioritized several high-profile architectural projects across Washington, including a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and proposals to rename and restructure the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
How it is being reported
- Trump signs order preventing future presidents from changing Oval OfficeThe order comes after Trump made a series of big changes the Oval Office decor and launched landmark construction projects across Washington.BBC News · 6 Nov, 01:20
- Trump signs proclamation to try to prevent changes to gold-covered Oval OfficePresident seeks to make Oval Office a national monument to ensure designs are not ‘ripped down by stupid people’ Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday that he says will prevent future administrations from changing his design of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, spaces which he declared as national monuments that should be preserved. In the days since his party suffered historic defeats in the midterm elections, the president has seemingly turned his attention to the many renovation projects he has begun across the nation’s capital. Sitting behind the Resolute Desk on Thursday, Trump…Guardian World · 6 Nov, 00:29
- Trump signs proclamation preventing changes to Oval Office, other White House roomsTrump signed a proclamation designating the Oval Office and Cabinet Room as a national monument to prevent future presidents from altering them.Fox News · 5 Nov, 23:10
- Trump signs proclamation to prevent changes to Oval Office, other White House roomsTrump signed a proclamation designating the Oval Office and Cabinet Room a national monument to prevent future presidents from altering them.Fox News · 5 Nov, 23:10
- Trump tries to prevent anyone from changing his gold-covered Oval Office by declaring it a landmarkPresident Donald Trump attempted to preempt anyone from tampering with the Oval Office by declaring it a national monument on Thursday.Independent World · 5 Nov, 21:18
In this story: Donald Trump · White House · Oval Office · Congress · National Park Service · Arlington National Cemetery
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