By Osita Mbonu
Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, has been forced to resign following a dispute involving a gift for King Charles during President Trump’s recent state visit to Britain. The administration had sought an original Eisenhower sword from the museum’s collection to present to the British monarch but was refused, as the artifacts are government property meant to be preserved for the public.
Instead of the original sword, President Trump gave King Charles a replica. Arrington confirmed his resignation came under pressure, with officials stating he could no longer be trusted with confidential information. He expressed surprise that his refusal to release the sword might have contributed to his ouster after nearly 30 years of public service.
Reports suggest Arrington also clashed with the National Archives and Records Administration, which oversees presidential libraries, over sharing information about changes to a planned education center at the Eisenhower site, possibly adding to tensions leading to his departure.
This controversy is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration involving friction with nonpartisan cultural institutions. Earlier conflicts include the firing of Colleen Shogan, then-archivist of the United States. The National Archives remains closed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and did not comment on the matter.
A unique detail in the story is that two other Eisenhower swords, on loan from the Nixon family, were recently displayed at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, highlighting the significance and care surrounding these historic artifacts.
Arrington was appointed director of the Eisenhower Library in August 2024 after a long career with the National Park Service, where he earned praise for engaging public history work. His departure comes amidst changing relationships between federal presidential libraries and private foundations supporting them, raising questions about the stewardship of presidential history.
