Trump trades history for replica sword, ousts Eisenhower librarian
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Todd Arrington was forced out after refusing to part with Eisenhower’s sword, highlighting Trump’s growing grip over cultural and historical institutions.
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General Dwight Eisenhower receives the token sword of honor, the great curved sword carried by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo, from the hands of the Lord Mayor of London, during ceremonies in Guildhall at which he received the Freedom of the City of London on June 12, 1945 (AP)
The director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library has been removed from his post after objecting to handing over a historic sword from the collection to King Charles during US President Donald Trump’s recent state visit, according to US media reports.
Todd Arrington, the library’s director, confirmed to CBS News that he was told to “resign or be fired” and officially stepped down on Monday. He did not say who delivered the ultimatum.
The Eisenhower Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, the hometown of the 34th US president, is run by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Arrington allegedly pushed back against an administration request to give one of Dwight D.
Eisenhower’s swords to King Charles. The gift was intended as a symbol of the “special relationship” between Washington and London and as a tribute to US-UK collaboration in the Second World War.
Before becoming president in 1953, Eisenhower served as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, overseeing the defeat of Nazi Germany.
In the end, Trump presented Charles with a replica sword donated by West Point, the US military academy where Eisenhower trained.
Tensions beyond the sword
The New York Times reported that Arrington’s dismissal may have also been tied to disputes over a proposed new education center at the Eisenhower Library.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Arrington said he hoped to be reinstated, “I’m very sad and upset, and frankly devastated, and I have tried to reach out to higher-ups in the National Archives to say basically, I will do whatever it takes to reverse this.”
Arrington’s departure marks the end of a decades-long federal career. His ousting comes amid what observers describe as Trump’s growing influence over cultural and historical institutions since his return to the White House in January.
The administration has carried out sweeping personnel changes, removing members of traditionally bipartisan boards and replacing them with what Trump perceives as loyalists.
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