Hegseth Announces Scouting America's Agreement to 'Back to Basics' Demands
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has declared that Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts, has consented to significant reforms in exchange for continued federal funding. In a video posted on X, Hegseth stated the organization will no longer recognize transgender children and will eliminate its Citizenship in Society merit badge, which required Life Scouts to engage with diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Reforms and Organizational Response
Hegseth accused Scouting America of losing its way after policy changes, including accepting gay children in 2013 and girls in 2018. He argued these shifts lowered standards and promoted what he called an "insidious, radical, woke ideology." In response, Scouting America issued a press release affirming its commitment to core values, including its name and service to over 200,000 girls in its programs. The organization highlighted that girls have been involved since the 1960s and will continue to participate.
Additionally, Scouting America announced it is waiving registration fees for military families and introducing a new merit badge focused on military service and veterans. However, the group did not directly address the future treatment of transgender scouts or the removal of the Citizenship in Society badge, leaving some questions unanswered.
Federal Funding and Membership Trends
Since Scouting America receives federal funding from the Department of War, Hegseth has threatened to withdraw support if the organization fails to comply with the Trump Administration's executive order on "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity." This order has previously been used to cut funding from higher education and research programs.
In his video, Hegseth linked a decline in membership from 10 million boys in 1970 to 1 million boys and girls today to diversity and inclusion measures, though no evidence supports this claim. Over the decades, Scouting America has faced challenges including sexual abuse allegations, a bankruptcy filing in 2020, and a $2.4 billion settlement for abuse claims. Membership declines are part of a broader trend affecting many in-person organizations in the U.S., as noted in Robert Putnam's work Bowling Alone, which discusses decreasing civic engagement.
Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions
This is not the first time the Pentagon has pressured Scouting America. In November 2025, Hegseth criticized the organization for what he termed an "attack on boy-friendly spaces," and in early February 2026, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell warned of funding cuts if the group did not adhere to "common sense" standards. The ongoing debate reflects deeper societal divisions over inclusivity and traditional values in youth organizations.
