Trump declares Oval Office a national monument

Trump protects Oval Office by decree

President Trump signed an executive order declaring the Oval Office a national monument. He told reporters the move will prevent future presidents from destroying or substantially altering the space.

“We're making it a national monument, and it will not be allowed to be touched by anybody, destroyed, ripped down by stupid people, in order to build something in a slightly different shape.”

The order allows presidents to redecorate

The executive order explicitly permits future presidents to redecorate the Oval Office, select furnishings, and make operational and security changes that do not substantially impair its historic structure or architectural character.

Trump renovated the space extensively

Trump's changes to the Oval Office included a large gold plaque reading Oval Office outside the space, paving over the Rose Garden, and adding a new helicopter pad. Many changes were cosmetic rather than structural.

Trump justified the order as preservation

Trump said the White House and Oval Office had been badly damaged before his changes, describing broken windows, cracked walls and broken stone. He called the Oval Office a symbol of the country's greatness.

“We like the Oval Office, and it's a symbol, like the White House itself. It's a symbol of our country and the greatness of our country.”

Legal effect of the order remains unclear

Most executive orders can be overturned by future presidents. Trump himself scaled back two national monuments in Utah in 2017. Revoking a national monument designation has not yet been tested in court.

Expert calls order legally meaningless

Greg Werkheiser from Cultural Heritage Partners says presidents already have discretion over furniture and decor as long as they do not damage permanent art and architecture. He called Trump's order hypocrisy.

“As long as they're not damaging the permanent art and architecture, they can generally do whatever they want.”

Werkheiser criticises Trump's preservation record

Werkheiser argues Trump has shown disregard for other historic sites in Washington and attempted through lawsuits to undermine preservation laws while claiming to protect the Oval Office's historic character.

“On the one hand he's talking about the importance of preserving the Oval Office - which is legally meaningless because he can't do it - and on the other hand he is absolutely taking an axe to the law that allows us to preserve other historic sites.”