Trending 
United States (US) President Donald Trump has declared the Oval Office a national monument, saying the move will protect the historic room from future presidents’ changes.
Trump signed the order on Thursday, extending his focus on White House renovations despite a major midterm election defeat suffered by his Republican Party.
The decision comes following criticism that Trump has focused more on construction projects in Washington than on voters’ concerns about the war in Iran and the rising cost of living.
Read More : Pope Leo Begins South America Tour
These issues featured prominently in the campaign before Tuesday’s midterm elections, which saw Democrats win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
However, Trump largely ignored the election results a day later. Instead, he showcased construction work on a new White House ballroom.
On Thursday, his attention shifted to the Oval Office and the adjoining Cabinet Room. Trump has added gold decorations to the Oval Office since returning to power last year. He said the proclamation was designed to prevent future presidents from changing or demolishing the two rooms.
“It won’t be able to be taken down, destroyed, touched, or anything else. It’s called actually a national monument,” Trump told reporters.
The president said the order would stop future White House occupants from carrying out building work in the rooms. However, the move has raised questions about whether Trump plans further changes to the West Wing. He had earlier suggested relocating reporters from the White House briefing room, which is close to the Oval Office.
Trump’s signing of the order was not broadcast by major US television networks. The White House has also excluded CNN from the rotating pool of television outlets covering presidential events.
Meanwhile, Trump referenced the midterm elections by placing a red baseball cap bearing the word “veto” on the Resolute Desk.
The president has threatened to use his powers to block legislation backed by Democrats. However, he has also said he is willing to work with the opposition party.
