Pentagon Puts Scouting America On Notice Over DEI, Transgender Policy
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Scouting America to end DEI programs and require biological sex at birth for membership or risk losing U.S. military support during a six-month review.
Overview
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Scouting America must end DEI programs and require membership based on biological sex at birth to retain U.S. military support.
The Pentagon said in a Feb. 6 statement that Scouting America's DEI efforts were "unacceptable" and it was reviewing the relationship.
Scouting America said it will add a Military Service merit badge, waive registration fees for military families, keep its name and continue serving more than 200,000 girls.
Scouting America said it has just over 1 million members, more than 6,000 girls have earned Eagle Scout, and it emerged from a bankruptcy plan tied to a $2.46 billion victim fund.
Hegseth said the Pentagon will vigorously review the group's changes during a six-month reprieve and could cease military support if Scouting America fails to comply.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a clash between Pentagon culture warriors and inclusive Scouting, using evaluative verbs ("ultimatum," "retreat") and sarcastic tweet labels ("Department of War"). They foreground critics' backlash and Scouting concessions while contextualizing Hegseth's rhetoric with counterquotes and organizational safeguards, privileging critique over neutral presentation.
Sources (16)
FAQ
Scouting America discontinued the 'Citizenship in Society' merit badge, replaced it with a military service merit badge, cut all DEI initiatives, mandated biological sex for membership and intimate spaces like tents and showers, and waived registration fees for military families.
Executive Order 14173, enacted by President Trump in January 2025, is titled 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity' and mandates ending DEI programs, which Scouting America cited as the basis for their programmatic updates.[2]
Yes, Scouting America will maintain its name, continue serving over 200,000 girls who have participated since the 1960s, and preserve its commitment to serving all youth.[1]
The Pentagon threatened to pull military support, including access to installations and events like the National Jamboree, but reached an agreement allowing continued support after Scouting America's reforms during the six-month review.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.