Donald Trump has signed a proclamation declaring the Oval Office and Cabinet Room a national monument, presenting the move as a way to protect the White House rooms from major future alterations.
The order was Mr Trump’s first official action after Republicans suffered defeats in key races during Tuesday’s midterm elections. However, it does not prevent future presidents from redecorating the rooms or overturning the designation itself.
Mr Trump described the Oval Office as a symbol of the presidency and the White House, saying: “It will not be allowed to be touched by anybody, destroyed, ripped down by stupid people, in order to build something in a slightly different shape.”
The proclamation places the Oval Office under the management of the Interior secretary and calls for documentation, review and consideration of alternatives before any action that would substantially alter or demolish its historic structure or architectural character.
It also states that the order does not restrict a president’s authority to redecorate the monument, choose furnishings or carry out ordinary operational and security changes, provided they do not substantially impair the building’s historic character.
Mr Trump said major changes would require congressional review, although that requirement is not included in the text of the proclamation. “If they want to say, ‘Let’s not have oval anymore, let’s make it square,’ what happens is they have to go back to Congress,” he said.
The president has himself made extensive changes to the White House since returning to office. The Oval Office now features numerous portraits, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, gold wall appliqués and gold-framed artwork, while new chandeliers have been installed in the Cabinet Room to address what he described as “very bad lighting”.
Mr Trump’s comments came as he highlighted several Washington projects. He has overseen the construction of an opulent ballroom after the East Wing was demolished to make room for it, and has also spoken publicly about renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
A red baseball cap marked “VETO” was placed on the Resolute Desk during the signing, appearing to reference the balance of power in Congress.
The proclamation may not offer the permanent protection Mr Trump suggested. He has previously reversed national monument designations made by his predecessors, meaning a future president could also seek to roll back this one.
