Donald Trump moves to make White House rooms national monuments

President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation on Thursday to designate two historic spaces inside the White House as national monuments, The Hill reported. The designation targets the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. [1]

The White House serves as the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the building has hosted every American president since John Adams moved into the residence in 1800. [13]

Designed by Irish architect James Hoban, construction on the White House started after George Washington selected the site in 1791. British military forces set fire to the structure during the War of 1812, which led to a reconstruction under the supervision of James Hoban. [15]

The executive action follows separate developments at the White House complex, where construction began in September 2025 on a new East Wing containing a State Ballroom. The original East Wing, built in 1902, was demolished in October 2025 to clear the site. [14]