US President Donald Trump has signed another executive order—this time prohibiting future presidents from making changes to the design of the Oval Office in the White House, reports the BBC.Since taking office, Trump—a former real estate magnate—has significantly altered the appearance of the president’s official office, primarily by incorporating various gold-toned elements into the interior. Speaking to assembled journalists, Trump stated that the office is being transformed into a national monument; he declared that no one will be permitted to touch it, and that “stupid people” must not be allowed to destroy it in order to build something else. This executive order comes just months after Trump himself oversaw the demolition of the entire East Wing of the White House—a project that faced legal challenges. The project was approved by Congress, and a ballroom is currently being constructed on the site of the demolished wing.Under current US law, presidents are permitted to make certain modifications to the White House, but major projects—such as Trump’s ballroom—require Congressional approval. An executive order signed on the 5th November designates the Oval Office and several adjacent rooms as a national monument. The document states that it does not restrict the authority of future presidents to make interior changes, select furniture, or implement routine operational and security adjustments, provided these do not significantly affect the monument’s historical structure or architectural character. Trump remarked that the Oval Office—much like the White House itself—is a symbol; it represents the United States and the nation’s greatness. He added that world leaders who have recently visited the Oval Office have praised the changes made to its interior.Trump stated that the White House and the Oval Office were in need of repairs, describing them as having been severely damaged. He cited broken windows, crumbling walls, and damaged stonework. However, many of the most noticeable changes were cosmetic in nature—including a large, gold-toned plaque reading “Oval Office” placed by the door, new paving in the Rose Garden, and the addition of a new helicopter landing pad. Trump noted that the executive order would prevent anyone from undoing the work that has been completed. The entire White House is already designated as a historic site at the national level, which precludes any sudden or unauthorized alterations to the building. As President, Trump has the authority to designate national monuments—a legal category akin to national parks. The new executive order places the Oval Office under the oversight of the National Park Service, ensuring the protection of its historical character, architectural integrity, and associations with the presidency.Trump has focused intently on initiatives he terms the “beautification of Washington.” Over the past week—despite his party’s crushing defeat in the midterm elections—he has held three events to showcase these projects. Greg Werkheiser, a representative for the law firm Cultural Heritage Partners, described Trump’s executive order as hypocritical, pointing to several projects the President is pursuing in Washington—including plans to construct a Triumphal Arch (a project currently halted by a court order). The attorney noted that while Trump speaks of the importance of preserving the Oval Office, he simultaneously disregards the laws designed to protect other historic sites. In October, Trump suggested that the Oval Office might need to be completely rebuilt, citing security concerns raised by the Secret Service. At the time, he stated that he would not allow this to happen, as it is a special place.During the midterm election campaign, Democrats criticized the design changes Trump had made; former US President Barack Obama remarked that Trump’s gold-toned ornaments made the Oval Office look as if Saddam Hussein had opened The Cheesecake Factory.
future Presidents barred from altering the Oval Office
