President Donald Trump has temporarily removed the iconic Resolute Desk from the Oval Office for refinishing, opting to use the notable ‘C&O’ desk in the meantime. The Resolute Desk, gifted to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 by Queen Victoria, is made from oak timbers of the British Ship HMS Resolute. This desk holds historical significance, having been used by every president since Hayes, except for George H.W. Bush, who briefly favored the C&O Desk. The Resolute Desk, adorned with the Presidential Coat-of-Arms in 1945, has been a fixture in the Oval Office since President John F. Kennedy’s tenure.

The C&O Desk, a Georgian-style walnut desk with golden handles, stands as an alternative to the Resolute Desk and was primarily utilized by George H.W. Bush. Notable other desks available to sitting presidents include the Theodore Roosevelt Desk, Johnson Desk, Hoover Desk, and Wilson Desk, each with its own unique history and significance.

With its origins tracing back to a British arctic expedition in 1852, the Resolute Desk symbolizes the enduring friendship between the U.S. and the UK. While the Resolute Desk undergoes refinishing, the C&O Desk steps in temporarily, reflecting the presidential tradition of selecting a desk that suits their style and preferences. This reshuffling of desks in the Oval Office highlights the historical and symbolic importance attached to these presidential furnishings, grounding the presidency in a rich legacy and tradition.