Yesterday (Thursday), US President Donald Trump signed a decree classifying the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room in the White House as national monuments, in a move he said aims to protect these two spaces located in the West Wing from any changes that may be made to them in the future, according to CNN.
The signing ceremony, which was held after the heavy losses suffered by Republicans in the midterm elections on Tuesday, was the third event organized by Trump this week related to the construction or renovation projects that he supervises in the American capital, projects that did not receive widespread support among voters.
Trump told reporters from inside the Oval Office, which he has given heavy gold decorations since his return to the White House in early 2025: “This is about the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, which are two very important spaces. “I will sign a document that will make them a historical landmark that will remain for future generations.”
Trump explained that his administration would send the document to Congress.
He stated: “We will declare this place a national landmark, and we will send the matter to Congress for approval.”
He added: “It is a federal landmark, and once the procedures are completed and the documents are completed in a legally binding manner, it will become impossible for anyone to destroy this wonderful place.”
Trump left his own mark on these two spaces inside the White House, especially the Oval Office, to which he added small gold-plated statues on the fireplace mantel, in addition to medals decorating the fireplace itself.
He also placed golden eagles on the side tables, and gilded Rococo-style mirrors on the doors, as well as small golden statues of Cupid's angels, which were transported from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and placed among the architectural decorations above the entrances.
Trump confirmed on Thursday: “I thought it was very important that no one be allowed to come in and remove it or attempt to dispose of it in any way.”
From the US state of Michigan to the Middle East, Arabs are celebrating Abdul Rahman Al-Sayyed’s victory in the elections, and are rejoicing in his introduction of Arabic words such as “my beloved” and “God willing” into the American political dictionary, according to an Associated Press report.
After being the target of anti-Islamic rhetoric (Islamophobia) during the election campaign, the rising political star - who will become the first Muslim member of the US Senate - mocked his critics on the right, stressing at the same time his commitment to defending the Palestinian cause and his pride in his faith and his Egyptian roots.
“JD, my love... there is a pleasant irony in the fact that you are constitutionally obligated for me to be sworn in before you in January,” Al-Sayyed said in his victory speech, addressing US Vice President J.D. Vance, who had previously warned that this candidate would lead demonstrators to burn down the city of Detroit.
Al-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, said that his election campaign transformed the phrase “God willing” into “Praise be to God.”
The joke directed at the Vice President sparked a wave of joy in the Arab world, as music clips chanting the word “My Love” spread on social media platforms.
A user on X posted a video clip of Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel Wahab dancing to one of her most famous songs, joking that El-Sayed would make it the new national anthem.
Egyptians are famous in the Arab world for their sense of humor, and are known for making jokes in the face of life's difficulties, a trait that was clearly demonstrated in cinema and embodied by the most prominent comedy stars, according to the Associated Press.
Egyptian academic Khalil Al-Anani praised Al-Sayed on the “X” platform, saying: “My love is the sweetest word.” He thanked the elected senator for bringing joy to the hearts of Egyptians.
During the election campaign, US President Donald Trump referred to Al-Sayed as a “jihadist,” invoked the September 11 attacks, and deliberately mispronounced the candidate’s name.
“Donald, look, I know you had a hard time pronouncing my name,” El-Sayed said in his victory speech. "So, after I'm sworn in by J.D. in January, you can simply call me Senator."
On Thursday night, an American federal judge stopped a huge project to build a triumphal arch in Washington that President Donald Trump wanted, shortly after the project received the green light from an urban planning committee.
District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan decided to prevent the Trump administration from starting construction of the arch for two weeks, which is the period that the court will allocate to consider the appeals submitted against the legality of the project.
The arch, with its huge dimensions, would block the view between the Lincoln Memorial, one of Washington's historical landmarks, and Arlington National Cemetery, which contains the remains of hundreds of thousands of American military personnel. Veterans who participated in the Vietnam War filed a lawsuit against the construction of this monument.
The decision was announced shortly after the National Capital Planning Committee approved the project, on Thursday evening, by a majority of eight votes to four. According to the project, the arch is more than 76 meters high, much higher than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, from which it was inspired, and its height is about fifty metres. This arch is one of several projects launched by Trump to beautify the American capital and add his personal stamp to it. These projects include a ballroom being built at the White House and a project to renovate the reflection pool on the National Mall, in addition to a proposal to redevelop an ancient golf course on the banks of the Potomac River. Trump's name was also placed on the Kennedy Center for the Arts, which bears the name of the late President John F. Kennedy, before a judge ordered the action to be overturned. On Thursday, Trump signed an order designating the Oval Office a national landmark.
