The director of the Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library has resigned following a dispute with the Trump administration over plans to gift a sword from the library’s collection to King Charles during Trump’s recent state visit, as reported by CBS News. Todd Arington said he was told to either “resign or be fired.” He stated that he was informed he “could no longer be trusted with confidential information.” No further explanation was given, he said, noting that he had not faced any apparent pushback after refusing to provide the sword.Using a personal email account, an administration official contacted the Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas, seeking one of its artifacts, a sword gifted to Eisenhower in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, as reported by the New York Times.The library, however, refused to release that or any other original item from its collection, citing that the artifacts are US government property and must, by law, be preserved for the American public.Trump and First Lady Melania presented King Charles with a replica of one of Eisenhower’s swords at Windsor Castle in September, also gifting the Queen a Tiffany & Co. vintage 18-carat gold, diamond, and ruby flower brooch. The decision reportedly drew the displeasure of Trump administration officials toward Arrington.Arrington denied having made any negative comments about Trump or his administration.“That is 100% incorrect. I never said a bad word about anybody. I talked to colleagues about trying to find a sword or artifact, something we could give to them for the president to give to the King, and at no time did I disparage anyone,” he was quoted as saying by CBS News.Arrington served as director of the Eisenhower Library since August 2024. The library is one of 16 presidential libraries in the US managed by the National Archives.Library directors are appointed by the US Archivist, and the White House has no authority over their hiring or dismissal.Arrington said that he hoped to return to his position.“I’d return to this job in a heartbeat,” he said. “I love the job, I love the people, I love the history. I never in a million years wanted this to happen,” he was quoted as saying by CBS News.
