Donald Trump designates redesigned Oval Office as protected national monument

Donald Trump has issued a presidential proclamation intended to preserve his decorative changes to key White House workspaces, designating both the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room as national monuments.

According to a report from The Guardian, the measure was signed on Thursday with the stated aim of blocking subsequent presidential administrations from reversing or altering the interior updates he introduced after returning to the presidency.

Since taking office again, Trump has substantially altered the look of the Oval Office. The space has been outfitted with numerous gold accents, small statues, and historical paintings of prominent American figures retrieved from government storage. A reproduction of the Declaration of Independence has also been installed on the wall of the executive workspace.

Under the proclamation, Trump declared that the two redesigned rooms deserve long-term preservation as protected national monuments, seeking to shield his aesthetic choices from future redecoration efforts typically undertaken by incoming presidents.

The extensive redecoration has attracted public attention and political commentary. Among the critics, former president Barack Obama poked fun at the lavish redesign, remarking humorously that the building had taken on an appearance reminiscent of Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory, citing the widespread use of gold throughout the space.

Traditionally, newly inaugurated presidents are permitted to alter the furnishings, artwork, and decor of the Oval Office to reflect their personal style and historical interests. It remains unclear how Trump's monument proclamation would be implemented or whether future administrations would face binding legal hurdles if they choose to redecorate the rooms upon taking office.