Overview
- The Army confirmed that a 30‑inch World War II–era globe linked to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was damaged during an attempted move on Feb. 3 when movers lost control and dropped the object.
- The fall left a several‑inch gash near Antarctica and detached the globe’s spherical section from its metal mounting, according to the Army spokesman and images obtained by The Washington Post.
- The move was carried out by Secretary Pete Hegseth’s staff instead of trained curators because historians at the U.S. Army Center of Military History were furloughed during a partial government shutdown, sources told reporters.
- Pentagon officials declined requests to let reporters inspect or photograph the damaged globe and Hegseth’s office has not said whether he personally ordered the relocation, leaving questions about responsibility.
- The globe remains in Pentagon custody while officials consult conservation and transport experts about whether it can be safely moved or repaired, and observers say the episode highlights procedural and leadership concerns inside the building.