The director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library has resigned following a clash with the Trump administration over a request to gift a sword from the library’s collection to King Charles, CBS News reports via the BBC’s U.S. partner.
Todd Arrington, who led the Kansas-based library, stepped down on Monday after refusing to hand over an original Eisenhower sword during President Donald Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom last month, according to anonymous sources cited by CBS.
Instead, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles received a replica during the visit.
In an interview with CBS News, Arrington explained the circumstances surrounding his departure.
“I was told to ‘Resign, or be fired,’” he said, adding that the directive stemmed from concerns over his handling of confidential information linked to the sword dispute and another unrelated matter.
State Department officials had sought to gift an Eisenhower sword to underscore the significance of U.S.-U.K. ties after World War II.
Arrington, however, maintained that such an artifact, accepted as a donation, could not be removed from the library’s collection.
He reportedly offered to find an alternative, including a replica, but requests for the original sword persisted. Ultimately, Trump and First Lady Melania presented the King with a replica at Windsor Castle in September.
The Queen received a Tiffany & Co. vintage 18-carat gold, diamond, and ruby flower brooch.
Arrington denied making any disparaging remarks about Trump or his administration.
“That is 100% incorrect,” he told CBS News. “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.”
The Eisenhower Library houses several swords from the former president, including a saber and a sword of honor currently on display.
Eisenhower, the 34th president from 1953 to 1961, also served as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II.
Arrington had been director of the library since August 2024. Presidential libraries in the U.S., including Eisenhower’s, are managed by the National Archives, which is responsible for hiring directors; the White House has no role in these employment decisions.
Reflecting on the episode, Arrington expressed a strong attachment 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.”
