Trump Removes Important American Symbol from Oval Office

Donald Trump has temporarily swapped out the iconic Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, a symbol of American history and presidential power, replacing it with the C&O desk while the original undergoes refurbishment. The Resolute Desk, a gift from Queen Victoria in 1880, has been a key fixture in the Oval Office since 1961, used by nearly every president except a few, including George H.W. Bush, who opted for the C&O desk during his time in office.

The C&O desk, originally built for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, was donated to the White House in 1987 and has been used by several presidents, including George H.W. Bush and others. Trump announced the temporary change on Truth Social, claiming the Resolute Desk needed “light refinishing” and introducing the C&O desk as a “beautiful, but temporary” replacement.

Despite the desk swap, the Resolute Desk has become synonymous with the office of the President, serving as a lasting symbol of leadership since it was first used by President John F. Kennedy. After JFK’s assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson chose the Johnson Desk, and the Resolute Desk was temporarily displayed at the Smithsonian before being returned to the Oval Office in 1977 by Jimmy Carter.

The Resolute Desk was most recently used by Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, as well as by Trump during his first term. The White House has yet to provide further details on the desk’s refurbishment timeline.