Trump signs order barring future presidents from altering Oval Office
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room as historic landmarks, in a move aimed at preventing future presidents from modifying the two rooms.
Trump signed the order on Thursday, November 5, amid criticism over his focus on White House renovation projects following his Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections.
Critics had accused the president of ignoring voters’ concerns about the Iran war and the rising cost of living ahead of Tuesday’s elections, while concentrating on construction and renovation projects in Washington.
A day after Democrats secured victories in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Trump largely ignored the election outcome and instead showcased ongoing construction work on a new White House ballroom.
On Thursday, he turned his attention to the Oval Office, which he has decorated with gold ornaments since returning to power last year, as well as the adjoining Cabinet Room.
Speaking to reporters during the signing ceremony, Trump said the proclamation would make it impossible for future presidents to destroy or alter the spaces.
“It won’t be able to be taken down, destroyed, touched, or anything else. It’s called actually a national monument,” he said.
The decision has also fuelled speculation that Trump could be planning additional changes to the West Wing, following previous suggestions that he might relocate reporters from the White House briefing room near the Oval Office.
The signing ceremony was not broadcast by major US television networks, following Trump’s exclusion of CNN from the rotating pool of media organisations covering White House events.
However, the president made a symbolic reference to the midterm elections, placing a red baseball cap bearing the word “veto” on the Resolute Desk during the ceremony.
The 80-year-old Republican has threatened to use his presidential powers to block legislation proposed by Democrats, although he has also expressed readiness to work with the opposition party.
