Could the Oval Office be torn down? What Trump said about the Secret Service plan
Donald Trump. Picture: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
President Donald Trump says he rejected a suggestion that the Oval Office be demolished and rebuilt, arguing that the historic presidential workspace is too important to be torn down.
Trump made the claim during a September 28 interview with TIME published October 1, 2026, while discussing the extensive changes he has made to the White House during his second term.
The comments have drawn attention not only because of the extraordinary idea of rebuilding the Oval Office, but because Trump also said he is exploring whether the room could receive federal landmark status — potentially creating a mechanism to preserve the office and the changes he has made to it.
That puts the focus on a bigger question surrounding Trump’s White House renovations: how much of what he has changed could remain after he leaves office?
Did Trump Say the Oval Office Could Be Demolished?
Trump said he was approached by people he identified as members of the Secret Service who suggested that the Oval Office be “taken down” and replaced with a new one.
According to Trump’s account, he rejected the idea immediately.
He described the Oval Office as a “special place” and said it should not be demolished.
The comments came during a wide-ranging TIME interview conducted at the White House on September 28. TIME published the full transcript October 1.
There is an important distinction in the claim: the suggestion was described by Trump during the interview, and the published reports do not establish that the Secret Service as an agency formally proposed demolishing the Oval Office.
Why Trump Wants to Protect the Oval Office
Trump’s comments went beyond opposing demolition.
He said he has asked White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to explore whether the Oval Office could be designated a federal landmark.
Trump said he had been asking Wiles about the possibility for months, raising the prospect of giving the room a special status that could help preserve it and its current design.
The proposal is particularly notable because Trump has significantly altered the appearance of the Oval Office since returning to the White House.
The room now features extensive gold-colored decorative elements, including gilded frames, mirrors and other ornate additions.
Trump has previously expressed pride in the changes and said he personally selected the decorations.
What Has Trump Changed Inside the Oval Office?
The Oval Office has undergone a highly visible aesthetic transformation during Trump’s second term.
Gold-colored decorative details have been added to the room, including around the fireplace and mirrors. Decorative plasterwork and crown molding have also become prominent features.
A gold script sign reading “The Oval Office” was added near the West Wing entrance.
TIME’s October 1 report described the redesigned room as featuring gold throughout the decorative plasterwork and walls.
The changes have become part of Trump’s broader approach to renovating the White House and its surrounding grounds.
Trump’s Wider White House Construction Push
The Oval Office controversy comes amid a much broader series of construction and renovation projects associated with Trump’s second administration.
Trump has defended extensive changes to the White House complex and has described the building as being in poor condition before his administration’s work.
During his TIME interview, he argued that the White House needed significant improvements and pointed to projects around the presidential complex.
The administration has also pursued plans for a new White House ballroom and other major changes to the grounds.
Trump’s approach has generated debate over the preservation of historic buildings and the extent to which a sitting president can reshape spaces associated with the presidency.
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Why the Oval Office Matters Beyond Its Design
The Oval Office is more than a working room for the president.
It has become one of the most recognizable spaces in American government, appearing in photographs and televised images of presidents meeting foreign leaders, signing legislation and making major announcements.
Its design has changed under different administrations, with presidents adding furniture, artwork and personal touches.
The room itself has also been renovated and altered over time.
That history makes Trump’s interest in preserving his version of the Oval Office notable. His comments suggest he wants some of the changes made during his presidency to remain in place beyond his administration.
Could the Oval Office Become a Federal Landmark?
Trump has raised the possibility of making the Oval Office a federal landmark, but the comments do not establish that such a designation has already been granted.
He told TIME that he had asked Wiles to look into the possibility of preserving the room.
The significance of such a move would depend on the legal and administrative framework used.
For now, the idea remains something Trump says he is exploring rather than an established change to the status of the Oval Office.
Trump Says He Wants His White House Changes to Last
The landmark discussion reveals another aspect of Trump’s renovation strategy.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized the physical condition and appearance of the White House while defending construction projects during his second term.
His comments about the Oval Office suggest that preserving his renovations is also part of the conversation.
Asked whether making the room a federal landmark would prevent future presidents from changing his work, Trump responded that it would not necessarily mean no one could ever change it.
That leaves open the question of how much protection any future designation could actually provide.
The Oval Office Debate Is Bigger Than Demolition
The immediate headline is Trump’s claim that he rejected a plan to tear down the Oval Office.
The more lasting issue may be what happens to the presidential workspace after Trump’s administration ends.
Presidents traditionally leave their mark on the White House through furniture, artwork, décor and renovations. Trump’s approach has been considerably more visible, turning the physical appearance of the building into a recurring part of his presidency.
His latest comments suggest he is now thinking about how some of those changes could survive a change in administration.
For now, there is no announced plan to demolish the Oval Office. Trump’s claim concerns a suggestion he says was made to him, while his proposal to explore federal landmark status remains under consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Oval Office
Is Trump tearing down the Oval Office?
No. Trump said he rejected a suggestion to demolish and rebuild the Oval Office. There is no announced plan to tear down the room.
Did the Secret Service really want to demolish the Oval Office?
Trump said during his TIME interview that people he identified as the Secret Service suggested taking down the Oval Office. The published reporting does not independently establish that the Secret Service formally proposed demolishing it.
Why does Trump want to preserve the Oval Office?
Trump has described the room as a special place and said he wants to protect it from being torn down. He is also exploring whether it could receive federal landmark status.
What did Trump change in the Oval Office?
Trump added extensive gold-colored decorative elements, including gilded details, mirrors, frames and other ornate features. TIME reported that gold is now prominent throughout the room.
Does Trump want the Oval Office to become a federal landmark?
Trump said he has asked Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to look into making the Oval Office a federal landmark. No such designation has been established by the information currently available.
Who is Susie Wiles?
Susie Wiles is Trump’s White House chief of staff. Trump said he asked her to examine the possibility of giving the Oval Office federal landmark status.
Has the Oval Office ever been renovated before?
Yes. The room has undergone renovations and changes under previous presidents, including changes to its furniture, decoration and appearance.
Why is the Oval Office important?
The Oval Office is the president’s principal workspace in the West Wing and has become an important symbol of the U.S. presidency through decades of presidential meetings, announcements and photographs.
When did Trump make the comments about the Oval Office?
Trump made the comments during a TIME interview conducted at the White House on September 28, 2026. TIME published the interview transcript on October 1.
Will Trump’s Oval Office decorations remain after he leaves office?
That has not been determined. Trump has discussed preserving the room and exploring federal landmark status, but the future treatment of his renovations would depend on subsequent decisions and any applicable preservation rules.