Trump signs order to preserve Oval Office as national monument

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Congress has carved out an exemption to the National Historic Preservation Act, in order to allow presidents to make needed changes. The current Oval Office has existed since the early 1930s, after its conception by President Franklin D Roosevelt.

Greg Werkheiser, from the law firm Cultural Heritage Partners, which specialises in historic preservation, says that temporary alterations like "furniture and decor is completely up to the president's discretion".

"As long as they're not damaging the permanent art and architecture, they can generally do whatever they want," he told the BBC.

AFP via Getty Images A new gold sign was placed outside the Oval Office.
A new gold sign was placed outside the Oval Office
Getty Images A Trump administration staff member seen inside the Oval Office in May. Gold decoration and gold-framed paintings cover the walls
A Trump administration staff member seen inside the Oval Office in May

Werkheiser argues that the Trump administration has shown disregard for other historic sites in Washington and, through lawsuits, has attempted to undermine the laws that require preservation.

He called Trump's order "hypocrisy", noting the various projects he's pushed for across Washington - including plans to build a new triumphal arch, which has been temporarily put on hold by a federal judge.

"On the one hand he's talking about the importance of preserving the Oval Office - which is legally meaningless because he can't do it - and on the other hand he is absolutely taking an axe to the law that allows us to preserve other historic sites."