US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation designating the Oval Office, Outer Oval Office and Cabinet Room as national monuments in a move aimed at protecting the historic spaces from major alterations by future presidents.
Trump signed the proclamation on Thursday, November 5, 2026, saying the measure would prevent future administrations from demolishing or substantially changing the rooms.
Speaking during the signing, Trump said the spaces should not be destroyed or redesigned into something different, describing the Oval Office as an important symbol of the United States.
He also suggested that major structural modifications would require congressional approval, although the proclamation itself does not explicitly impose such a requirement.
According to the document, future presidents can still redecorate the rooms, change furnishings and make routine operational or security adjustments, provided such changes do not substantially affect their historic structure or character.
The proclamation directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a management plan and ensure that major proposed alterations undergo proper documentation and review.
However, reports indicate that the measure may not completely prevent future presidents from reversing the designation or making changes to the spaces.
