The head of the Eisenhower Library has left his position following a dispute with the White House regarding donating a saber from its holdings to King Charles, according to news sources.
Todd Arrington, who managed the institution in the state, stepped down on Monday after declining to remove an original sword from the archive's items to present to the King during President Donald Trump's tour to the UK recently, sources said.
The monarch was instead given a imitation during Trump's UK visit, Buckingham Palace announced.
"The instruction was to 'Leave - or lose my job'," Arrington said in an conversation.
"Reportedly, they thought I was no longer able to be depended on with confidential information," Arrington stated, noting the private issue was associated with the sword dispute and an separate issue.
American diplomats were trying to donate an presidential saber to highlight the value of the US-UK relationship post WWII, but he rejected and stated they could not donate an object that was received as a gift, sources stated.
The outlet stated it was uncertain who in particular requested the saber to donate to the monarch.
Arrington reportedly offered to attempt to locate a replacement item, like a replica, but State Department officials continued to ask for the historical saber.
In the end, the president and First Lady Melania Trump donated the King a imitation of an artifact at Windsor Castle in the fall. They furthermore donated the monarch's wife a jewelry brand classic 18-carat gold, jewel and ruby accessory.
This incident led to Trump administration officials being dissatisfied with him, as per sources.
He challenged that he had expressed negative remarks about Trump and his administration.
"That is entirely untrue," he explained to sources. "I did not utter a bad word about any person. I discussed with associates about endeavoring to source a sword or artifact, an item we could donate to them for the leader to give to the monarch, and at no time did I disparage any person."
The presidential archive has a number of artifacts from the leader in its holdings, like a sword and a ceremonial sword displayed in a ongoing display. He, who was the leader from his term, served as the head of the allied forces in Europe during World War II.
He had been serving as director of the Eisenhower library since last summer. It is one of 16 presidential libraries in the United States that are operated by the National Archives.
The US archivist is responsible for appointing institution leaders, and the White House is not involved in the staff changes of these personnel.
The director told news sources that he wanted to return to his role.
"I would gladly resume this role," he stated. "I love the job, I value the staff, I love the heritage. I absolutely never desired this to take place."
