Todd Arrington, a longtime historian and former National Park Service and National Archives official, stepped down Monday as director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas.
Sources say Arrington’s resignation followed a disagreement over whether one of President Eisenhower’s personal swords — part of the American people’s historic collection — should be gifted to King Charles during President Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom last month.
Protecting America’s Heritage
According to individuals familiar with the situation, First Lady Melania Trump had asked to present an Eisenhower sword to King Charles as a symbol of the enduring U.S.–U.K. alliance forged in World War II, when Eisenhower served as Supreme Allied Commander. The State Department, in preparing the official gift list, looked for an original artifact from Eisenhower’s life to highlight that bond.
But Arrington reportedly pushed back, arguing against transferring a piece of history that belonged to the American people. Presidential library collections are meant to safeguard national heritage — not to be given away, even for diplomatic gestures.
White House Denies Role in Departure
Four U.S. officials involved in the royal visit said the White House had no part in Arrington’s departure and emphasized that the decision was his own. Buckingham Palace later clarified that King Charles was ultimately given a replica sword, underscoring the symbolism without taking original American artifacts overseas.
Eisenhower’s Legacy of Strength and Alliance
President Eisenhower, a five-star Army general, received several ceremonial swords during his lifetime — including a Sword of Honor from the City of London in 1947 and a Netherlands honor saber the same year. These are iconic reminders of his leadership during World War II and America’s global role in defending freedom.
The First Lady’s intent, one source said, was to honor that legacy and highlight the shared sacrifice that built the U.S.–U.K. partnership. But the pushback from within the library shows an ongoing debate over how best to represent America’s history abroad — and who gets to decide.
tell King Charles that we want QEII’s Septer and Orb in trade for Eisenhower’s sword. After all a lot of American blood was shed on the beachs to keep the NAZI’s from crossing the english channel.
Sorry Trump but NO to giving NATIONAL TREASURES to foreign countries. Especially ENGLAND who we fought for INDEPENDENCE against to become a FREE country, not under British rule.