Pentagon chief's staff damages historic Eisenhower WWII globe during relocation

An antique globe that once belonged to President Dwight Eisenhower during World War II was damaged when staff members of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth relocated items at the Pentagon, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

The globe, which held historical significance as a personal item used by Eisenhower during the war years, incurred unspecified damage during the moving process. The incident was not widely publicized at the time but has since come to light through reporting on the transition period following Hegseth's appointment to the Defense Department's top position.

The circumstances surrounding the damage and steps taken to address the matter have not been fully detailed. The incident underscores questions about proper protocols for handling and transporting historically significant objects within government institutions.

Hegseth assumed his role as Secretary of Defense following the previous administration's transition. The handling of artifacts and property during such institutional changes typically falls under established departmental procedures designed to prevent loss or damage to valuable items.

Photo: Pete Hegseth, official Department of Defense portrait, January 2025. U.S. Department of Defense via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).