By Stephen Sorace | Fox News
The Department of War is moving to overhaul its partnership with Scouting America, saying the organization must return to “core values” and eliminate DEI policies to remain eligible for federal support.
The review focused on the department’s financial relationship with Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, including its involvement in the organization’s National Jamboree, Sean Parnell, assistant to the Secretary of War for public affairs, said in a statement posted on social media.
Parnell described Scouting America as “a great organization” that has “lost its way” in recent years.
“But, for more than a decade now, Scouting America’s leadership has made decisions that run counter to the values of this administration and this Department of War, including an embrace of DEl and other social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances. This is unacceptable,” he wrote.
Parnell referenced an executive order that President Donald Trump signed at the start of his second term that focused on “terminating radical DEl preferencing in federal contracting,” adding that all organizations affiliated with the department must meet that standard.
DOW and Scouting America are nearing a final agreement, according to Parnell.
“Scouting America remains far from perfect, but they have firmly committed to a return to core principles,” Parnell wrote. “Back to God and country—immediately!”
Scouting America told Fox News Digital in a statement via email that the organization was “encouraged” by Parnell’s post.
“For nearly 116 years Scouting has stood as a cornerstone of American ideals, good citizenship, service, and adventure for American youth,” Scouting America said. “We are encouraged by [Monday’s] social media post by the Pentagon, and we look forward to providing more details as we move ahead.”
Parnell, however, added that the partnership would continue only on condition that Scouting America “rapidly implements the common-sense, core value reforms” the Trump administration has put forth.
“They are on the clock, and we are watching,” Parnell wrote, adding that officials may have more to announce soon.
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STATEMENT:
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.…
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) February 3, 2026
STATEMENT:
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. A great organization, that has — in many ways — lost its way.
On January 21st, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14173: “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” terminating radical DEl preferencing in federal contracting. All of our affiliations must meet this standard.
But, for more than a decade now, Scouting America’s leadership has made decisions that run counter to the values of this administration and this Department of War, including an embrace of DEl and other social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances. This is unacceptable.
Our review of the DoW’s financial assistance and partnership with Scouting America, including its quadrennial National Jamboree celebration, has been rigorous and ongoing. Scouting America remains far from perfect, but they have firmly committed to a return to core principles. Back to God and country—immediately!
Scouting America and the Department of War 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. They are on the clock, and we are watching.
We have more to announce soon.
Good. My sons are all eagle scouts. Three are in the military or joining soon. Most scouting families want scouting restored to its original mission.
— Night Owl (@IdahoNightOwl) February 3, 2026
As an Eagle Scout, I commend your efforts! The organization is currently an embarrassment to scouts worldwide. Keep up the great work!
— Doug Bonestroo (@dabonestroo) February 3, 2026
Great news! I am an Eagle Scout who kept my son out of Cub Scouts because of all the woke DEI agenda. It’s good to know that Boy Scouts is back.
My Eagle Scout letter is signed by Ronald Reagan. Still have it 37 years later.
🇺🇸🫡🇺🇸
— Michael Kelly (@Mkellytx2) February 3, 2026
This is pretty huge.
To survive, BSA had to abandon things that made them important. Now to survive, they get to re-embrace those things and be a whole organization once again.
Good to hear.
— BuckarooBonzai (@BuckaBanzai) February 3, 2026
As an Eagle Scout, I await the results of this. I, too, have had enough of the blatant disregard that Scouting has held for the principles of this country recently. I had considered ‘renouncing’ my award of Eagle, but other Eagles pulled me from the edge. If Scouting goes back…
— Mr. Wolf (@baghdadguy) February 3, 2026
That is absolutely amazing news. My family had been deeply involved in scouting and my two sons are both Eagle Scouts. It was very very painful to see what happened to the BSA as they went off the rails. I severed all relationship with this new org. I am hopeful this can be a…
— Paul (@padigi00) February 3, 2026
My brother’s were Boy Scouts.
It’s been sickening to see what these liberal fools have done to this once great American organization.It’s unrecognizable.
The liberal activists turned it into a un-American and anti-American hell hole.— Paula (@PaulaC_mj1981) February 3, 2026
1946 Boy Scouts of America handbook pic.twitter.com/4yvARl2tx6
— ONUG776 (@ONUG776) February 3, 2026
Click to enlarge:
As a 42 yr. (boy/man) Eagle Scout veteran with 3 Eagle sons, I held every adult district uniformed position (ASM-DC) plus over 15 years as an adult trainer. I saw the changes begin when the BSA National HQ moved from Morristown , NJ to Texas, and the emphasis shifted from quality to numbers. As the enrollments when down due to poorer program quality, the “professionals” opened the program up to girls to maintain membership goals.
Sec. Hegseth should insist that Scouting should return to Baden-Powel’s founding principles completely before reinstating any financial aid programs.