President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, November 5, 2026, designating the Oval Office and the White House Cabinet Room as national monuments. The action follows modifications by the president, who stated the measure is intended to prevent future administrations from altering his changes. During a ceremony at the Resolute Desk, Trump said the order would ensure the space is not "touched by anybody" or "destroyed" to build something of a different shape.
The designation follows a series of physical modifications to the White House grounds during Trump's second term. The president has installed gold-colored appliqués, urns, and cherubs in the Oval Office, added a sign with gold lettering outside the entrance, and lined the walls with framed portraits. Other changes to the complex reported in the source include the removal of the East Wing for a ballroom, the paving of the Rose Garden, and the installation of a helipad on the lawn. The president has also made plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch.
The announcement occurred two days after the 2026 midterm elections, in which Republicans lost control of both the House and the Senate. Trump stated he plans to send the order to Congress for ratification, asserting the directive would protect his legacy and the room's current aesthetic. Critics cited in the report questioned the president's move toward historic preservation after he oversaw the removal of the East Wing, while others noted that a future president could potentially reverse the executive order.
The physical changes reported involve the removal of the East Wing to accommodate a ballroom and the paving over of the Rose Garden. While a specific dollar amount for these renovations was not reported, the source notes that courts have already ruled the East Wing demolition likely exceeded the president's legal authority. For future administrations, this could mean a procedural hurdle before they can change wallpaper, move portraits, or alter the sign at the entrance, potentially requiring congressional approval or new executive orders to undo these protections.
The move follows the loss of Republican majorities in Congress. The next steps involve the delivery of the order to the newly elected Congress for ratification. The president stated he would personally intervene to stop any future attempts to "start knocking down walls" at the site.