Scouting America to end DEI efforts in deal with Pentagon
USA TODAY
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Scouting America will end all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in an agreement to keep Pentagon support.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Feb. 26 announced the Pentagon will conditionally continue to provide support to Scouting America following the youth organization's "commitment to pull all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from its program."
In a video, Hegseth said he had been weighing ending "all support" of Scouting America, the nonprofit formerly called the Boy Scouts of America, after "DEI crept in."
Scouting America has signed a memorandum of understanding stating that it will comply with an executive order from President Donald Trump that aimed to bar DEI initiatives in the public and private sectors, Hegseth said.
Changes include the removal of DEI-focused language from Scouting America's programs and publications, and the discontinuation of "citizenship in society" merit badge that required Scouts to "realize the benefits of diversity, equity, inclusion and ethical leadership." A new military service merit badge will be introduced, according to the Pentagon.
Membership will also be based on a child's sex assigned at birth. "That means that the application, any application, will have only two sex designations, male and female, and the application must match the applicant's birth certificate," Hegseth said.
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