Todd Arrington, former director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. This latest decision follows a questionable decision to move a historic artifact. Arrington spent decades building a career on behalf of the American people within the federal government’s ranks. In his account, he alleged that a superior ordered him to either “resign or be fired.” He left on Monday. This occurred just days after he rejected calls to loan an original President Eisenhower sword to King Charles during President Trump’s state visit.
In September, Trump undertook a state visit to Britain. He and the now-King Charles made appearances at a glitzy state dinner held at Windsor Castle. The Trump administration had hoped to deliver the sword personally to King Charles. This extraordinary sword symbolizes the unbreakable bond between the US and the UK, as well their collective efforts to fight and defeat the Axis powers during WWII. It was Arrington’s unwillingness to follow through with this basic ask that resulted in his sudden ouster.
Eisenhower, who was elected president in 1953, is probably best known for his leadership of the Allied forces in the victory over Nazi Germany. The presidential library and museum is located in Abilene, Kansas, Eisenhower’s birthplace and hometown. It fiercely defends his legacy and contributions. Arrington’s unwillingness to give up the original sword was even rooted, in part, in wanting to maintain historical accuracy at the institution.
Even with this pressure from the Trump administration, Arrington took to public airwaves to plead his case for restoration. He expressed his sorrow over the situation, stating that he was “very sad and upset, and frankly devastated,” and that he had attempted to reach out to higher-ups within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in hopes of reversing the decision.
With Arrington’s departure, the Trump administration had a brief window to act. Instead, they decided to gift King Charles with an ornate replica sword donated by West Point. As such, this decision is an extension of Trump’s campaign to control US cultural institutions, which has continued since he retook the White House in January.
Though Arrington’s removal is unlikely to diminish the long-term effects of republican political power on cultural heritage and historical preservation, it has sparked a discussion. Critics argue that such actions threaten the autonomy of institutions like NARA and undermine their ability to operate free from political pressure.