Donald Trump is eyeing a move that would lock in the changes he’s made to the Oval Office for future presidents.
The 80-year-old president told Time magazine reporters in a lengthy interview published Thursday that Secret Service officials suggested demolishing and rebuilding the chief executive’s White House office, which he claims to have rejected, but the Washington Post flagged another detail in those comments.
“‘Sir, we think the Oval Office should be taken down, and we’ll build a new one, sir,’” Trump said, quoting the official. “I said, ‘My a–, you can’t build a new one. This is a special place.’”
The White House declined to comment further, and the Secret Service did not immediately respond to questions about the president’s account.
The current Oval Office dates to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, and Trump has filled it with gold decor as part of a broader overhaul of the White House. He has followed Secret Service advice on other security projects, including plans for a permanent fence around Lafayette Square, the park across from the White House.
Trump also told Time he wants a new federal designation for the Oval Office, saying it could protect the room from demolition and preserve the changes he has made.
“I’ve been asking Susie for six months to give me a statement. Will we save this room? Will we make it a federal landmark?” Trump said, referring to chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The White House already holds National Historic Landmark status. However, Congress exempted it from the National Historic Preservation Act, which lets presidents make major changes to the building without the usual review.
Trump was asked whether his predecessor would be allowed to change his gilded decor if the Oval Office was designated as a federal landmark.
“No,” he stated.
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