President Donald Trump is swinging back at bland federal buildings with a bold executive order. Signed on Thursday, it demands a return to classical architecture that echoes America’s founding vision. Modernist and brutalist eyesores are officially on notice.
The Daily Caller reported that Trump’s order pushes for federal buildings to reflect regional heritage and classical aesthetics, shunning the cold, concrete boxes of recent decades. It builds on a January 2025 memorandum that called for visually striking civic structures. The goal is clear: to make public spaces inspiring again.
In January, Trump laid the groundwork with a memorandum promoting “beautiful federal civic architecture.”
It argued that federal buildings should be instantly recognizable as civic landmarks, not soulless cubes. The memo set the stage for this week’s decisive action.
The executive order channels the spirit of the Founders, who drew inspiration from ancient Athens and Rome.
“The Founders … modeled the most important buildings in Washington, D.C., on the classical architecture,” the order notes. Yet progressives often dismiss such heritage as outdated, favoring sterile designs instead.
Trump’s vision rejects that trend, prioritizing designs that uplift and ennoble the nation. The order insists federal buildings should foster civic virtue, not alienate citizens with brutalist gloom. It’s a jab at the elitist architects who’ve long ignored public taste.
While campaigning, Trump vowed to make cities like Washington, D.C., “safe, clean, and beautiful again.” This order delivers on that promise, targeting federal architecture as a starting point. It’s a practical step toward restoring national pride through beauty.
“Classical and traditional architecture are preferred modes of architectural design,” the order declares. It cites their proven ability to inspire and endure, unlike the fleeting fads of modernism. Critics of the order might call it nostalgic, but supporters see it as timeless.
The push for classical architecture isn’t just aesthetic—it’s about identity. Federal buildings should reflect the nation’s values, not the whims of avant-garde designers. Trump’s order ensures taxpayer-funded projects prioritize enduring beauty over trendy experiments.
In late July, the White House announced a new state ballroom with a 650-person capacity. While details on its design remain scarce, it’s a safe bet that Trump’s team will align it with this classical vision. Expect columns, not concrete slabs.
The order explicitly bans modernist and brutalist styles, which often leave cities feeling cold and uninviting. These designs, favored by progressive urban planners, clash with the warmth of regional traditions. Trump’s move is a direct challenge to their dominance.
“Major emphasis should be placed on the choice of images that embody architectural excellence,” the order states. It’s a call to reject the soulless in favor of the sublime. The left may scoff, but many Americans crave buildings that inspire.
Trump’s critics argue this focus on aesthetics distracts from bigger issues. Yet supporters counter that beautiful public spaces can unify and uplift communities. It’s hard to argue with a policy that aims to make daily life more pleasant.
The executive order builds on the January memorandum’s call to “uplift and beautify public spaces.” That earlier document emphasized ennobling the nation through architecture that reflects its values. Trump’s latest move puts those words into action.
By tying federal buildings to regional heritage, the order respects local identities while promoting a cohesive national aesthetic. It’s a middle finger to the cookie-cutter globalism that’s homogenized cityscapes. Americans deserve buildings as bold as their spirit.
