Trump Designates Oval Office as National Monument to Block Future Overhauls
US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday establishing the Oval Office, Outer Oval Office, and Cabinet Room as a national monument in a move aimed at protecting the historic spaces from future structural alterations. The decision marks the administration’s first official action following Democratic gains in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Directing the Interior Secretary to oversee management of the designated rooms, the proclamation requires formal documentation, review, and consideration of alternatives before any action that would substantially alter or demolish the structure.
The designation preserves key architectural features while continuing to permit future presidents to redecorate, select furnishings, or make ordinary operational and security modifications that do not impair the historic character of the spaces. Trump stated during the announcement that major alterations would also require congressional review, though that specific requirement does not appear in the proclamation’s final text.
The White House filmed and livestreamed the announcement, but the standard television press pool was excluded from the room. CNN, which was scheduled to provide shared video for five networks, reported it was barred from the event.
The Oval Office was originally created in 1909 during the administration of President William Howard Taft. Its current location and general design stem from renovations undertaken in 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The White House and its grounds already hold National Historic Landmark status.
