Why It Matters
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Thursday concerning the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, saying the two West Wing spaces would receive national landmark status to prevent future changes.
What Happened
Trump said the administration would send the document to Congress and that Congress would ratify it. He described the designation as a federal landmark process that, once legally binding, would make the rooms impossible to destroy.
“It concerns the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, very important spaces,” Trump said.
The proclamation follows Trump’s return to the White House in early 2025. The signing ceremony also came after Republicans’ midterm losses on Tuesday.
By the Numbers
- Two: White House spaces covered by the proposed designation.
- Third: Trump’s construction- or renovation-related event in the nation’s capital that week.
- Early 2025: Trump’s return to the White House.
- Tuesday: The day Republicans experienced midterm losses.
Zoom Out
Trump has made changes to the Oval Office, including adding gold vermeil figurines, medallions, gold eagles, gilded Rococo mirrors and gold cherubs. The cherubs were shipped from Mar-a-Lago.
What’s Next
The administration is to transmit the document to Congress. Trump said congressional ratification would complete the process needed to make the designation legally binding.
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