The proclamation protects the historic character of the room but allows future presidents to redecorate or reverse the order.
US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday to designate the Oval Office and Cabinet Room as national monuments. According to reports from BBC News, India TV, and Mathrubhumi, the move aims to protect these spaces from major structural alterations by future administrations.
The president stated that the rooms should not be destroyed or redesigned by others to fit different shapes. He described the Oval Office as a symbol of the country's greatness. The order directs the Interior Secretary to oversee the preservation of the rooms and requires documentation and review before any actions that could substantially alter or demolish the historic structures.
However, the proclamation does not stop future presidents from changing the interior decor. The document specifies that the president's power to choose furnishings, redecorate, or make standard security and operational updates remains intact, provided these changes do not significantly damage the architectural character of the monument.
Trump, who has added gold features to the office during his second term, suggested that any major redesigns, such as changing the shape of the room, would require approval from Congress. While the proclamation does not explicitly mandate congressional approval for such changes, the president noted that any attempt to do so would necessitate going back to the legislature.
The signing was the president's first official act following Republican setbacks in the 2026 midterm elections. The Oval Office has existed in its current form since the early 1930s.
