Trump Declares Oval Office a National Monument to Prevent Alterations

The Oval Office has been declared a national monument under a new executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. The order aims to prevent future presidents from making major structural changes to the historic space.

Trump signed the order on Thursday, saying it would protect the presidential office from being destroyed or significantly altered by future administrations. The move follows several changes he has made to the White House during his second term, including the addition of gold decorations and other design 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.

The order also covers some rooms surrounding the Oval Office. However, it does not prevent presidents from making routine decorative or operational changes.

Trump's Executive Order Defines Limits on Future Changes

The executive order declares the Oval Office and certain surrounding rooms a national monument. However, it allows the president to retain some control over the space.

According to the document, the order does not restrict presidential authority to:

• Redecorate the monument and select its furnishings.
• Make ordinary operational modifications.
• Carry out security-related changes that do not substantially affect its historic structure or architectural character.

Trump described the Oval Office as a national symbol, comparing its importance to that of the White House itself. He also said visiting world leaders had complimented the decorative changes made to the room.

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White House Renovations Draw Attention

The executive order comes months after Trump ordered the demolition of the White House East Wing to make way for a new ballroom. The project has faced legal challenges but also received approval from the US Congress. Construction has continued.

Trump defended his renovation work, saying the White House and the presidential office needed repairs. He pointed to broken windows, cracked walls and damaged stonework.

Some of the most visible changes during his second term include:

• Adding gold decorations and features inside the Oval Office.
• Installing a large gold plaque reading "Oval Office" outside the room.
• Paving over the White House Rose Garden.
• Adding a new helicopter pad.

Under existing arrangements, American presidents can make certain changes to the White House, while major projects require congressional permission.

Trump said the new order would make it impossible for future administrations to destroy the historic space.