Trump Proclaims Gold-Leafed Oval Office a National Monument
The move follows Republican midterm losses and aims to legally protect the President's recent interior redesigns from future changes.
By Jenna Mitchell ·
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday declaring the Oval Office and Cabinet Room national monuments. The executive action is designed to prevent future administrations from altering the interior design of the West Wing spaces. Trump made the announcement while seated behind the Resolute Desk in the gold-leafed room.
The President stated that the proclamation ensures the rooms will not be modified, destroyed, or rebuilt by subsequent leaders. He described the goal as creating a permanent landmark. “I’m going to be signing a document which will make them into a landmark for the ages,” Trump told reporters.
Trump expressed concern that future occupants might attempt minor aesthetic upgrades. He cited examples such as installing better glass. “Every once in a while they’ll look and they’ll say, oh, maybe what we’ll do is we’ll put some glass up that’s a little bit better or something, and I say no, you’re not going to do anything,” he said.
The President added that he would return to Washington if any future administration began removing walls. “If anyone ever decides to come and start knocking down walls, you’ll call me wherever I may be, and I will come back here and I will make sure it never happens,” Trump said.
This designation follows a series of major renovation projects undertaken since Trump returned to office. The most prominent project is the demolition of the East Wing to construct a $600 million ballroom. A permanent granite helipad was also built on the South Lawn.
Trump defended the extensive work by pointing to deterioration in the building's exterior. He cited cracked windows, damaged stonework, and broken decorative features. “When you looked at that wall one year ago, it was badly damaged from years of service,” he said. He noted that exterior columns were also in poor condition.
A red baseball cap with the word “Veto” was placed on the desk next to the signing documents. The item referenced the President's stated intent to block legislative priorities from the new Democratic-controlled Congress. Democrats secured control of Congress and won key states including Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, and Iowa. They campaigned on affordability and anti-corruption messages.
The opulent redesign has faced public criticism. Former President Barack Obama recently remarked that the White House resembles a Cheesecake Factory with gold everywhere. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded to the comment by dining at a Cheesecake Factory.
In a press conference held on Monday, Trump discussed the delayed completion of a $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. He attributed the algae growth in the pool to the previous administration. “The algae is brutal. It forms easily,” Trump said. He led a media tour of the White House Ballroom construction site two days later, calling the project a miracle.
