Trump Declares Oval Office a National Monument, Limiting Future Alterations

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at preventing future presidents from making certain changes to the White House Oval Office.

During his second term, Trump has significantly altered the appearance of the president’s official office, most notably adding numerous gold features.

“We’re making it a national monument, and 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,” Trump told reporters Thursday.

The order follows months after Trump demolished the entire White House East Wing in a project that has faced legal challenges.

The project lacked congressional approval, yet construction continues with plans to convert the space into a new ballroom.

While presidents traditionally have authority to make certain modifications to the White House, large‑scale projects generally require Congress’s consent.

Trump’s executive order, signed Thursday, designates the Oval Office and some surrounding rooms as a national monument.

The document clarifies that it does not restrict the President’s authority to redecorate the monument, select furnishings, or make ordinary operational and security modifications that do not substantially impair the monument’s historic structure or architectural character.

“We like the Oval Office, and it’s a symbol, like the White House itself. It’s a symbol of our country and the greatness of our country,” Trump said, noting that world leaders visiting recently have praised his decorative changes.

Trump asserted that the White House and the Oval Office were in need of repairs prior to his changes, describing the condition as “badly damaged,” with broken windows, cracked walls, and damaged stone.

Many of the most visible changes were cosmetic, including a large gold plaque reading “Oval Office” outside the space, paving over the Rose Garden, and adding a new helicopter pad.

Trump stated that the order would “make it impossible for anybody ever to destroy this incredible space.”

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