On Thursday, August 28th, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order establishing classical architecture as the “preferred and default” style for federal buildings.
The executive order titled “Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again” requires government officials to notify him 30 days in advance if they intend to approve a federal building design in the brutalist or deconstructive style. The order specifically states that these modernist architectural styles are no longer favored and should not be considered for most federal construction projects.
The order states, “Federal public buildings within the scope of this directive should uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, highlight the dignity of America, and garner public respect. They should also be visually identifiable as public buildings and, as appropriate, respect regional architectural traditions.”
It further specifies, “In the District of Columbia, classical architecture will be the preferred and default architecture for federal public buildings, unless there are special considerations requiring a different style.”
The White House emphasized in a briefing document, “Most American taxpayers want to see classical, regionally distinctive public buildings that beautify public spaces, and their government should respect their preferences.”
During his first term, Trump implemented similar policies, which were subsequently repealed shortly after President Biden took office.
While campaigning for re-election, Trump had stated in 2023 that he would “tear down ugly buildings” and return American architecture to the grandeur of Western civilization’s classical style.
Having been involved in the real estate industry for decades, Trump is currently undergoing aesthetic renovations to the White House during his second presidential term and has proposed redesign plans for some other federal buildings.
Trump ordered the removal of the lawn in the White House Rose Garden, replacing it with white stone slabs to create a terrace with tables, chairs, and umbrellas, resembling the design at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. He also erected two giant flagpoles on either side of the White House. In late July, the White House announced plans to construct a massive new banquet hall costing around $200 million, to be funded not by taxpayers but by Trump himself and other donors.