Former President Donald Trump recently inquired about moving the Declaration of Independence into the Oval Office, raising alarms among his aides, according to The Atlantic. The request reportedly prompted immediate concerns by his aides about the logistical and financial challenges of relocating the nation’s most treasured document.
The original Declaration, housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., is protected in a state-of-the-art, oxygen-free case filled with argon gas to prevent further deterioration. The document retracts into a secure vault at night, and strict limitations exist on how often the doors can be opened due to light exposure. Given these extreme security measures, Trump’s request was deemed impractical, leading him to shift his focus to obtaining a historical copy instead.
White House spokesperson Steven Cheung addressed the matter, stating, “President Trump strongly believes that significant and historic documents that celebrate American history should be shared and put on display.” While the White House already possesses at least one historical copy—specifically a Stone engraving commissioned in the 1820s—Trump’s interest in the Declaration aligns with his broader efforts to commemorate American history. He has already launched “Task Force 250” to plan celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the document’s signing next year.
A Symbol of Rebellion—And Irony
Trump’s desire to prominently display the Declaration carries a sense of irony. The document is one of the most famous rejections of monarchy and absolute rule in history, declaring that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. It famously denounces King George III, stating, “A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”
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Meanwhile, Trump has leaned into regal imagery, recently jokingly referring to himself as a sovereign and distributing AI-generated images of himself in a crown and ermine robe. The move coincided with his order to block congestion pricing in New York City, which he defended with a quote attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2025
Trump’s fascination with historical grandeur is also evident in his recent White House renovations. Since returning to office, he has overseen changes including repaving the Rose Garden to resemble the patio at his Mar-a-Lago resort and reviving plans for a new ballroom on White House grounds. The Oval Office now features golden trophies on the mantle, military flags adorned with campaign streamers, and portraits of presidents such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. A framed copy of his Georgia mugshot even hangs in the hallway outside.
The Stone Facsimiles—Trump’s Likely Choice
If Trump is determined to display a version of the Declaration in the Oval Office, a Stone engraving is the most likely candidate. In the 1820s, alarmed by the original’s deterioration, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned engraver William J. Stone to create 200 facsimile copies with the original signatures. Over time, many were lost, but about 50 are known to still exist today.
One such copy has been in the White House’s possession for years. Documents expert Seth Kaller recalled that a collector once offered to help the White House obtain a Stone copy—only to learn that one already resided in its archives. Whether that particular facsimile remains under White House control is unclear.
Trump also recently met with billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, who owns four Stone engravings and has played a role in placing copies in U.S. embassies worldwide. While it is unknown whether their meeting touched on the Declaration, Rubenstein has previously advocated for making the document more visible to the public.
According to Kaller, displaying a stone print would be far easier than attempting to move the original. “It would likely cost millions of dollars” to relocate the original Declaration, he said, while a Stone facsimile “only requires getting the lighting right in a display case.”
Trump’s Legacy and the Declaration
Trump’s push to incorporate the Declaration of Independence into the Oval Office decor is part of a larger effort to shape how his presidency is remembered. By surrounding himself with historical symbols, he reinforces a narrative of patriotism and legacy-building—while simultaneously embracing elements of monarchy in his rhetoric and imagery.
With the Declaration’s 250th anniversary approaching, Trump is positioning himself at the center of the celebrations. And if history is any guide, if he wants a Declaration displayed in the White House, he will likely get it—even without the powers of a king.
Featured image via screengrab
