Pentagon Threatens To Cut Ties With Scouts Over “Unacceptable” Ideology
“From Day One at the War Department, we have made it very clear: No more DEI at DoW. Zero tolerance.” (Sean Parnell, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson)
Featured Image: Getty Images (photo by Sirisak Boakaew)
On Monday, the Pentagon warned Scouting America (formerly known as the Boy Scouts) that it was at risk of losing its U.S. Military partnership if it failed to implement “core value reforms.” The threat was issued on X by Sean Parnell, U.S. Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Chief Pentagon Spokesman. The aggressive move aligns with the quest to purge all things deemed “woke” by the Trump Administration and the Department of Defense, under Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth, formerly co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, has previously criticized the scouts for allowing girls to join—a change undertaken in 2017, when girls K-5 were permitted to join as Cubs. Hegseth has also spoken out against the 2024 rebrand from Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to Scouting America, which was done in an effort to foster inclusivity, and move beyond abuse allegation scandals of the past.
The Boy Scouts of America also opened its doors to transgender boys in 2017, following an 8-year-old boy’s fight to remain in the Cub Scouts after being kicked out for being trans. It is the current policy of Scouting America to allow transgender youth to participate in activities based on the gender identity listed on their membership application.
STATEMENT:
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) February 3, 2026
From Day One at the War Department, we have made it very clear: No more DEI at DoW. Zero tolerance.
As a result, over the past several months, the Department of War has been reviewing its relationship with Scouting America—formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America.…
“From Day One at the War Department, we have made it very clear: No more DEI at DoW. Zero tolerance,” Parnell wrote on X. “As a result, over the past several months, the Department of War has been reviewing its relationship with Scouting America—formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. A great organization, that has — in many ways — lost its way.”
Specifically, Parnell called out Scouting’s “embrace of DEl and other social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances,” calling them “unacceptable.” In keeping with similar aggressive tactics deployed across various spaces – from academia to athletics – the Department of War is threatening to cut off assistance for Scouting America programs, like the National Jamboree celebration. The West Virginia gathering is a once-every-four-years camping summit that draws 15,000 scouts and relies on hundreds of National Guard, military reservists and active-duty service members for medical, security and logistical support.
The final outcome remains unclear, but reporting (and tweeting) suggest that there might be an agreement or acquiescence in the works. Scouting America said in a statement late Monday to the Washington Post: “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.”
“Back to God and country—immediately!” Parnell wrote on X. “… They are on the clock, and we are watching.”
