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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Thursday that he said would prevent future presidents from altering his redesigns of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, seeking to preserve changes he has made to two of the White House’s most recognizable spaces.
“We’re making it a national monument, and it will not be allowed to be touched by anybody,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office.
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Since returning to the White House, Trump has extensively redecorated the Oval Office, filling the room with portraits, gold accents and a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
The move comes two days after Republicans suffered sweeping losses in the midterm elections, handing Democrats control of Congress. It also follows several days in which Trump has focused publicly on his Washington building and renovation projects, including his new ballroom and changes involving the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The White House already has National Historic Landmark status, raising questions about what additional legal protections Trump’s proclamation provides.
Asked whether future changes could be made to the rooms, Trump said any significant alterations would require congressional approval. “No major modification without the approval of Congress,” he told reporters.
"So if they want to say 'let's not have Oval anymore, let's make it square', what happens is they have to go back to Congress, and hopefully the Congress... will be smart enough not to let that happen."
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
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