Washington, November 6 (TNA) US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation designating the White House’s Oval Office, Outer Oval Office and Cabinet Room as a national monument, saying the move will protect the historic rooms from major changes by future administrations.
Trump signed the order on November 5 under the Antiquities Act. The designation places the rooms under a preservation framework and directs the Interior Department to prepare a management plan for their protection.
Aim to Limit Major Alterations
The proclamation requires documentation, review and consideration of alternatives before any action that would substantially alter or demolish the designated spaces. Trump said the move would prevent future presidents from carrying out major overhauls or destroying the character of the rooms.
The decision follows extensive changes Trump has made to the Oval Office during his second term, including the addition of gold-coloured decorative elements and other furnishings. The alterations have attracted public attention and prompted debate over the balance between presidential discretion and preservation of the White House’s historic interiors.
Redecoration Still Permitted
Despite the designation, the order does not completely prevent future presidents from changing the rooms. It specifically allows redecorating, selecting furnishings and making ordinary operational or security modifications, provided they do not substantially damage the monument’s historic structure or architectural character.
The proclamation therefore limits major structural interventions rather than routine changes to furniture, decoration or day-to-day use. Large construction projects at the White House may also require congressional approval.
Administration Announces Preservation Plan
The Interior secretary has been instructed to develop the monument’s management plan and oversee measures to preserve its structural and significant architectural features. The designated area includes the Oval Office itself, the two rooms forming the Outer Oval Office and the Cabinet Room.
The action was Trump’s first major official move after the 2026 midterm elections, in which Republicans suffered significant losses. Its long-term effect will depend on how future administrations and federal agencies interpret and enforce the preservation requirements.