In February 2026, an incident occurred at the Pentagon where an antique globe belonging to former US President Dwight Eisenhower was damaged. Pentagon employees, following the directive of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, attempted to relocate one of the two globes but failed to secure it properly, resulting in damage to the artifact.
Details of the Incident
According to The Washington Post, the globes in question date back to 1930. It is known that Eisenhower, while serving as a general in the army, used these globes during World War II. One of the globes was intended to be placed in Hegseth's office, but due to the unfortunate incident, this did not happen.
Causes of the Damage
Typically, the relocation of historical items within the Pentagon is conducted under the supervision of specialists; however, in this instance, they were on leave. Staff members in Hegseth's office decided to undertake the task themselves, which led to the mishap. During the transportation, the globe fell, resulting in a hole forming in the area of Antarctica, and the spherical part detached from its mounting, rendering the globe unable to rotate.
Current Status of the Globe and Next Steps
Currently, the globe is undergoing repairs, and it has not been placed in Hegseth's office. The incident has sparked outrage among historians and cultural heritage advocates, who emphasize the importance of adhering to protocols when handling historical artifacts.