Trump signs order to declare Oval Office a national monument
The executive order aims to prevent future presidents from making certain changes to the White House office, according to BBC News.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to designate the Oval Office and some surrounding rooms as a national monument. The move is intended to stop future presidents from making specific changes to the space, Trump said.
The president, who has added gold features to the walls during his second term, told reporters that the office will be a national monument that cannot be destroyed or altered by others to build something in a different shape. He described the office as a symbol of the country's greatness.
The order specifies that the president still holds the power to choose furnishings, redecorate, or make standard security and operational updates, provided they do not significantly damage the architectural character or historic structure. The National Park Service will be responsible for maintaining the office to protect its architectural integrity and association with the presidency.
While the entire White House is a National Historic Landmark, Trump's proclamation states that the Oval Office deserves specific recognition as a significant historic structure. Currently, presidents can make some changes, but large projects require permission from Congress.
Greg Werkheiser of the law firm Cultural Heritage Partners told BBC News that temporary changes like decor remain at the president's discretion as long as permanent architecture is not damaged. Werkheiser alleged that the administration has shown disregard for other historic sites and has used lawsuits to undermine preservation laws.
The president previously suggested in an interview with Time magazine that the office might need to be rebuilt due to Secret Service security concerns, though he later dismissed the idea.
