Pentagon threatens Scouting America over DEI, ‘God and country’
A Pentagon spokesman called Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts, “a great organization, that has, in many ways − lost its way.”
Citing ongoing discord over diversity, equity and inclusiveness programs, the U.S. Department of War is threatening to cut ties with Scouting America, the non-profit formerly called the Boy Scouts of America, unless it “rapidly implements” what military officials called “core value reforms.”
“We have made it very clear: No more DEI at (DOW),” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote in a post on X on Feb. 2. “As a result, over the past several months, the Department of War has been reviewing its relationship with Scouting America,” calling it “a great organization, that has, in many ways − lost its way.”
Citing the non-profit’s “unacceptable” decisions in recent years “that run counter to the values” of the Trump administration, Parnell wrote, Scouting America’s leadership has made decisions “that embrace of DEl and other social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances” for more than a decade.
Specific details of the Pentagon’s demands and Scouting America’s plans were not immediately available on Feb. 5.
USA TODAY has reached out to Scouting America and the White House for comment.
But the organization is among companies including Apple, Costco and Levi’s that have stuck to DEI commitments despite pressure from the Trump administration. On President Donald Trump‘s first day in office last year, he signed an executive order to end what he called “illegal and radical” DEI practices in the public and private sectors.
According to Scouting America’s Heart of Virginia Council, the national organization “will accept and register youth in the Cub and Boy Scout programs based on the gender identity indicated on the application.”
“Given that the welfare and best interests of each child is the top priority in Scouting, our organization’s local councils will help find units that can provide for the best interest of the child,” the Virginia council said on its website.
The Trump administration has worked to expel transgender servicemembers from the armed forces.
The Pentagon’s threat to Scouting America comes about five months before the group’s National Jamboree set for July 22-31 at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. The event, which takes place every four years, receives equipment and transportation support from the Defense Department that was valued at $8 million a year in a 2004 lawsuit challenging U.S. governmenbt support for the Boy Scouts over its requirement that participants declare their belief in God.
The recent warning over DEI is not the first time the Pentagon has threatened Scouting America. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has criticized the organization for changing its name from Boy Scouts and allowing girls to join in recent years.
‘Common-sense, core value reforms’
Scouting America has focused on inclusivity in recent years. It dropped “boy” from its name in 2018, permitted girls to join Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in 2018, and 2019 respectively and announced plans to rebrand to Scouting America in the spring of 2024.
Later in the post, Parnell said Scouting America had committed to return to its core principles of God and country, saying the organization and the military are near a final agreement “where we believe we can continue our partnership with Scouting America, as long as the organization rapidly implements the common-sense, core value reforms.”
“For nearly 116 years Scouting has stood as a cornerstone of American ideals, good citizenship, service and adventure for American youth. We are encouraged by tonight’s social media post by the Pentagon and we look forward to providing more details as we move ahead,” Scouting America said in a statement to The Washington Post.
Parnell said more about the reported compliance would be announced soon.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
