By Salma El-Sakka
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Thursday designating the Oval Office and Cabinet Room as national monuments, aiming to prevent future administrations from altering his gold-covered redesign of the historic spaces. The move comes days after his party suffered significant losses in the midterm elections.
Proclamation Aims to Lock In Design Changes
Sitting behind the Resolute Desk, Trump declared the rooms "a landmark for the ages" and said the proclamation would ensure they are not "touched by anybody, destroyed, ripped down by stupid people." He vowed that if anyone attempts to knock down walls, he would return to stop it.
Wave of White House Renovations
Since returning to office, Trump has launched several "beautification" projects, including demolishing the East Wing for a $600 million ballroom and installing a permanent granite helipad on the South Lawn. He defended the work, citing cracked windows, damaged stonework, and broken decorative features on the building's exterior.
Political Context and Criticism
A red baseball cap emblazoned with "Veto" sat on the desk during the signing, signaling Trump's intent to block legislative priorities from the new Democratic-controlled Congress. Democrats flipped several traditionally Republican states, including Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, and Iowa, while securing congressional control.
Former President Barack Obama recently mocked the opulent redesign, saying the White House looked "like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory. Just gold everywhere." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared to respond by dining at a Cheesecake Factory.
Other Renovation Projects Highlighted
Before the midterms, Trump held a press conference on a delayed $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, blaming the Biden administration for accumulated algae. Two days after the election, he led a media tour of the White House Ballroom construction site, calling the project "a miracle."
