U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order. He stated that this will prevent future presidents from making certain changes to the Oval Office of the White House.
Trump, who was once a real estate tycoon, made significant changes to the appearance of the presidential office during his second term. The most noticeable change was the addition of many golden decorations.
"We classify it as national memorial, and prohibit any person from touching, damaging or removing it. Those foolish people wanted to do something to create a shape slightly different from the original," Donald Trump said on November 5th to reporters.
This order was signed several months ago, when Trump demolished the entire building of the East Wing of the White House; the project has faced legal challenges. The project was approved by the U.S. Congress. Construction continues, with plans to transform this space into a new banquet hall.
Currently, the President of the United States has the authority to make some changes to the White House, but large-scale projects require congressional approval.
Trump signed an executive order on the 5th, declaring the Oval Office and some surrounding rooms as national monuments.
The document also states that this order does not “limit the President’s authority to repaint monuments, select furniture, or carry out routine operations and safety improvements that do not substantially harm the historical structure or architectural features of the monument.”
We like the oval-shaped office, it's a symbol, just like the White House itself. It is a symbol of our country, a great symbol of our nation," Trump said, adding that foreign leaders who have visited recently all praised his changes to the room decor.
Trump said that the White House and the Oval Office needed repairs before his renovations, and described them as “severely damaged.” He mentioned broken windows, cracked walls, and damaged stone surfaces.
However, many of these significant changes are merely superficial decorations. These include the installation of a large golden signboard with the words “Oval Office” outside the office, the flattening of the Rose Garden, and the addition of a helipad.
Trump stated that the order would "make any person forever unable to destroy this unbelievable space."
The entire building has been designated as a national historic landmark, with this designation aimed at preventing any sudden changes to the building's appearance. As President, Trump has the authority to establish national memorials, which are similar in nature to national parks.
Trump's order requires the National Park Service to maintain this office, "in order to protect its historical features, architectural integrity, and its connection to the presidency."
In October, Trump hinted in an interview with Time magazine that the Oval Office might need to be demolished due to security concerns involving the Secret Service.
"I said, 'Nonsense, you cannot build a new one. This is a special place.'" Trump said at the time.
During the midterm election campaign, Democrats criticized Trump's redesign. Former President Barack Obama called his golden transformation "making the White House look like Saddam Hussein opened a cheesecake factory".
