After White House changes, Trump moves to make Oval Office, Cabinet Room national monument
Proclamation targets major changes
Trump said the designation would protect the Oval Office, outer Oval Office and Cabinet Room from being substantially changed. He described the rooms as difficult to alter in a meaningful way under the measure.
He also said major modifications to the Oval Office or Cabinet Room would require congressional approval. Trump indicated that Congress must ratify the proclamation he signed.
Congressional approval remains unclear
Trump said the proclamation would be sent to Congress for ratification. The account does not say whether Congress has acted on it. The Cabinet Room is used by the president and senior advisers. Trump said its interior was largely the same as before, while also describing upgrades and new chandeliers.
White House work continues
The proclamation followed Trump’s midterm election defeat and came as construction continued on the White House grounds. On Wednesday, he invited reporters to the site as workers raised the ballroom project’s final beam.
Trump defended the project by calling the White House a national symbol that should be kept pristine. In October 2025, he had the East Wing demolished as part of the ballroom plan.
Gold accents may be removable
Trump has made other changes around the White House, including gold additions in the West Wing. He also said the Cabinet Room had been upgraded.
Key points
- Trump designated the Oval Office, outer Oval Office and Cabinet Room as national monuments.
- He said major changes would require congressional approval and that Congress must ratify the proclamation.
- Trump said a future president could remove his gold accents, but carefully.
- White House ballroom construction continued after the East Wing was demolished in October 2025.