Todd Arrington, the director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, resigned on Monday after a dispute with the Trump administration regarding the gifting of a sword from the library’s collection to King Charles during President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK. Arrington’s refusal to remove the sword from the library led to his resignation.
What Happened
Todd Arrington, who had served as the director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Kansas since August 2024, resigned following a dispute with the Trump administration over the gift of a sword to King Charles. The controversy began when U.S. State Department officials sought to present an original Eisenhower sword to the King during Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom in September 2025.
Arrington declined the request, citing the fact that the sword was a donated artifact and could not be removed from the library’s collection. As a result, the Trumps presented King Charles with a replica of the sword instead. Buckingham Palace confirmed the substitution, and while the situation was seen as a diplomatic gesture to strengthen U.S.-UK relations, it led to dissatisfaction among Trump administration officials.
The Dispute
According to CBS News, Arrington was told by officials to either resign or be fired, with the reasoning being that he could no longer be trusted with confidential information. Arrington has disputed claims that he made negative remarks about the Trump administration, stating he had only suggested finding a different artifact or replica as a gift for the King.
“I never said a bad word about anybody,” Arrington told CBS News. “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.”
The Impact and Response
The controversy over the sword and its removal from the Eisenhower Library’s collection has raised questions about the influence of the White House on presidential libraries, which are managed by the National Archives. While Arrington’s resignation was tied to this specific issue, he expressed his regret over the situation, stating that he loved his job and the people at the library.
Arrington also emphasized his desire to return to his position, stating, “I’d return to this job in a heartbeat. I love the job, I love the people, I love the history. I never in a million years wanted this to happen.”
The Gift Exchange
In addition to the sword, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump gave King Charles a replica of Eisenhower’s sword during their visit to Windsor Castle in September. They also presented Queen Elizabeth with a Tiffany & Co. vintage 18-carat gold, diamond, and ruby flower brooch.
Official Statements and What Happens Next
The situation has raised concerns about the relationship between the National Archives and the White House, as presidential library directors are hired by the U.S. archivist, not directly by the president. The White House typically does not have a say in the hiring or firing of library directors. The controversy surrounding Arrington’s resignation has drawn attention to the complex role of presidential libraries in preserving historical artifacts while balancing political considerations.
Closing
This story may be updated with more information as the situation unfolds.
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