Oval Office Monument Status: Trump Signs Proclamation
The president designated the Oval Office and Cabinet Room as a national monument, stating that major changes now require Congressional approval.
By Chioma Brooks ·
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday designating the Oval Office, the outer Oval Office, and the Cabinet Room as a national monument. The move aims to restrict future modifications to these spaces by requiring Congressional ratification for any major changes.
Trump stated that the designation makes it impossible to demolish or significantly alter the rooms. He told reporters, "So 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." The president added that the interior of the Cabinet Room has been substantially upgraded with new chandeliers, though he described the room as otherwise remaining pretty much the same.
The proclamation establishes that no major modification to the designated areas will occur without the approval of Congress. Trump indicated that the document he signed must be sent to legislative leaders for ratification. He noted that while a future president could potentially remove the gold accents he installed, such changes would need to be executed very carefully.
This action follows a period of extensive structural work on the White House grounds. In October 2025, Trump ordered the demolition of the East Wing with minimal public notice or oversight to facilitate the construction of a new ballroom. The project has continued to reshape the property since that date, altering the physical layout of the historic site.
On Wednesday, Trump spoke publicly for the first time since the Republican Party’s midterm election defeat. He hosted reporters at the construction site to view the installation of the final beam for the ballroom project. During the visit, he addressed criticism regarding his focus on White House renovations.
Trump defended the construction efforts by describing the White House as the ultimate symbol of America. He stated, "And you know, when I get criticized, like, 'Why are you working on the White House?' I'm doing it because the White House is the ultimate symbol of America, and it's got to be pristine." The raising of the final beam marked the completion of the primary structural phase for the new ballroom.
The designation of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room adds a new layer of legal and political procedure to future White House renovations. By linking the preservation of these rooms to Congressional approval, the administration has created a check on executive authority regarding the physical structure of the presidency's most visible chambers.
