US President Trump Signs Proclamation Protecting Oval Office Design as National Monument

United States President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation designating the Oval Office, the Outer Oval Office, and the adjacent Cabinet Room as a national monument. Signed on Thursday from behind the president’s desk in Washington, the measure marks Trump’s first official action following midterm elections that handed Democrats control of Congress.

Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that the designation will prevent future administrations from altering or destroying the heavy redesigns completed during his second term. According to the proclamation text, the order aims to preserve the rooms' historic character, architectural integrity, and association with the presidency. The document directs the interior secretary to manage the spaces through the National Park Service and requires documentation and review before any substantial alterations.

The proclamation explicitly notes that the directive does not restrict a president's ongoing authority to redecorate, select furnishings, or modify the office's decor. Furthermore, future presidents retain the legal ability to revise or revoke executive proclamations through new executive actions. During his first and second terms, Trump previously used similar executive authority to adjust major national monuments in Utah.

The signing event followed midterm elections in which Democrats secured control of Congress after making significant gains in several states. Al Jazeera English and The Guardian reported that the election outcomes highlighted voter dissatisfaction with domestic spending and economic priorities, while Fox News noted the political shift following the vote.

The Oval Office announcement is part of a series of post-election public appearances highlighting White House construction initiatives undertaken since Trump returned to office in 2025. These projects have included the demolition of the East Wing to build a new ballroom, the installation of towering flagpoles and a stone patio, and proposed monuments such as a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. While defended by the administration as necessary restorations, these construction efforts have faced criticism from opposition lawmakers and observers.