Resignation of Eisenhower Library Director Amid Trump Administration Dispute Over Sword Gift for King Charles III
The director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Kansas, Todd Arrington, resigned following a dispute with the Trump administration over a sword and gift selection for King Charles III during President Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom. The administration wanted to gift an original Eisenhower sword to King Charles, but Arrington resisted, citing that the artifact belonged to the American people. Instead, a replica of Eisenhower's sword was provided by West Point as a gift.
First lady Melania Trump personally chose the gifts for King Charles and Queen Camilla, aiming to emphasize the historical significance of the U.S.-U.K. relationship since World War II. Despite Arrington's offer to find an alternative gift, the State Department persisted in seeking an original sword from the Eisenhower collection. The library's team eventually offered to help find a replica, and a faux version of Eisenhower's sword was provided by West Point.
The Trump administration was reportedly displeased with Arrington's handling of the situation. Arrington did not respond to requests for comment, and the first lady's office and NARA did not provide immediate responses either. The Eisenhower library and NARA were operating with limited staffing due to the partial government shutdown. The White House does not have a formal role in hiring or firing directors of presidential libraries, as that responsibility falls to the archivist of the United States.
Todd Arrington had been serving as the director of the Eisenhower library since August 2024. The library is one of 16 presidential libraries or museums operated by NARA, including those planned for former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The Trump family also announced plans to build the Trump library and museum in Miami in the future.