What nice idea. Donald Trump is saving American taxpayers some money with his latest idea. He has signed a proclamation designating the Oval Office in the White House a national landmark.

Which means his successors, if there are any (and I am not convinced he will allow an election in 2028), will have to live with Trump’s taste in decor. Which I would think is not to most people’s liking, despite his spending millions to re-make the office in his image.

It is just another example of Trump’s worldview and perhaps of his narcissism. His way is perfect and should be enshrined for posterity. Why not spare future presidents the time and expense of figuring out what should hang on the office walls? Just another service to the country that no-one will give Trump credit for.

The timing of this act, right after the Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm election, is probably not a coincidence. On Tuesday Trump discovered that the polls were correct – he is nowhere near as popular as he once was and Republican candidates were blamed for his policies and his personality. Designating the Oval Office (and the Cabinet Room) as a national landmark was something he could do to show he was still in control.

Except he isn’t anymore. Trump’s declaration has to be ratified by Congress for it to become law. Somehow I can’t see that happening, especially given that the Republicans no longer control the House and Senate. The Democrats probably don’t think much of Trump’s taste in decorating, though they may like it more than his policies.

I suspect if the next president wants to renovate his or her working space they won’t worry about any landmark designation. And I can pretty much guarantee that here will be renovations; if only to remind Trump he is not the boss.