Trump signs decree to lock in White House design changes after midterm losses
The new proclamation designates the Oval Office and Cabinet Room as a national monument, requiring Congressional approval for major modifications.
By Justin Brooks ·
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday to designate the Oval Office and Cabinet Room as a national monument. The move aims to require Congressional approval for major modifications to those spaces, creating a legal barrier against future redesigns. This action marks his first official move following the Republican defeat in Tuesday's midterm elections.
During the signing ceremony, a red baseball cap reading "VETO" sat on the Resolute Desk. Trump told reporters the decree would protect the rooms from being destroyed or altered by future leaders. He described the Oval Office as a symbol comparable to the White House itself and insisted it would not be touched by "stupid people" to build something in a different shape.
The proclamation follows a week of intense focus on Trump's physical projects in Washington. On Wednesday, he signed the final beam for his ballroom construction, one day after Republicans lost key races. Earlier that Monday, he addressed reporters at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool regarding its renovation. These recent actions come as Democrats prepare to increase scrutiny on his administration.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has overseen extensive design changes. He has filled the Oval Office walls with portraits, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and numerous golden accents. While he did not specify the exact threats he fears for the office, he suggested potential future opponents might knock down walls. He stated that if anyone attempted such changes, he would return to ensure they never happened.
The legal status of the proclamation is not permanent. Proclamations can be reversed, a power Trump has previously used to roll back national monuments. He has also faced multiple lawsuits alleging that his beautification projects in Washington lacked necessary approvals. The new decree adds another layer to these ongoing legal and political disputes over the White House grounds.
Democratic leaders are already moving to examine Trump's spending and construction choices. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent letters to known donors for the ballroom project on Thursday. He demanded that they provide information or face alternative measures to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
