Trump Proclaims Oval Office a National Monument to Protect His Renovations After Midterm Losses

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday to prevent future administrations from changing his design of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room. He declared both spaces national monuments that should be preserved.

Sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the gold-covered Oval Office, Trump told reporters he would sign a document making the rooms a landmark for the ages. He said he wanted to ensure nobody could come and take the spaces down or try to do something with them.

The president stated the proclamation would ensure West Wing rooms would not be touched, destroyed, or ripped down by stupid people to build something in a slightly different shape. He added that if anyone decided to knock down walls, they should call him wherever he may be, and he would return to make sure it never happens.

Trump defended his wider White House renovation work, saying the building's exterior had suffered from years of deterioration. He pointed to cracked windows, damaged stonework, and broken decorative features, noting he had paid for repairs and hired skilled workers to restore them.

The proclamation comes after his party suffered historic defeats in the midterm elections, which handed Democrats control of both the House and Senate. Voters were frustrated over the economy and rising prices.

Since returning to office, Trump has embarked on a series of White House beautification projects. These include the demolition of the East Wing to make way for a $600 million ballroom and the building of a permanent granite helipad on the South Lawn.

Trump acknowledged that his successors could remove his gold trim and paintings, provided they did so carefully. He also stated that no major modification would be allowed without the approval of Congress.