Overview

• Todd Arrington confirmed he resigned this week after being told to resign or be fired and that he was deemed untrustworthy with confidential information.
• The dispute followed requests during President Trump's September U.K. visit to provide an original Eisenhower sword as a diplomatic gift, which Arrington argued could not be given away.
• A State Department liaison using a personal address identified as "giftgirl2025" reportedly asked the library for "like a sword or something."
• West Point supplied a replica sabre instead, and Buckingham Palace said the sword presented to King Charles was a replica symbolizing respect and wartime partnership.
• Officials involved in the visit said they were unaware of Arrington’s exit and that the White House played no role, while NARA and the library have not commented during the partial federal shutdown; NARA leadership decisions rest with the archivist, with Marco Rubio acting and James Byron managing daily operations.