Hegseth’s Pentagon Forces Scouts to Drop the Trans Agenda or Lose Military Backing [WATCH]

Pete Hegseth said the Boy Scouts of America once played a foundational role in shaping generations of American boys but argued the organization declined after adopting diversity, equity and inclusion policies and changing its structure in recent years.

“For more than a century, Boy Scouts of America prepared over 130 million American boys to make moral and ethical choices, not just during their formative years, but for a lifetime as they grew into men,” Hegseth said.

He pointed to the scout oath as an example of the organization’s traditional focus.

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“The first few words of the scout oath exemplify this quote, on my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country,” he said.

Hegseth described the group’s long-standing presence in communities across the country.

“The Boy Scouts are embedded in our communities,” he said. “They’re sponsored by community organizations, service clubs and churches.”

He noted that many former scouts have moved into leadership roles.

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“Many Boy Scouts have gone on to senior leadership positions in their communities, in business, in our nation’s military, and has elected representatives in local, state and national office,” Hegseth said. “Six boy scouts have been elected President of the United States. 11 of the 12 men to walk on the moon. Boy Scouts.”

Hegseth said the program historically emphasized “responsible citizenship, character and leadership, development, patriotism, personal fitness, self reliance, faith and a wide range of outdoor skills.”

“It was a great program,” he said.

He explained that the department maintained a close relationship with the organization, noting that many troops met on military bases.

After 2012, however, Hegseth said the organization changed direction.

“After 2012 however, the Boy Scouts lost their way, and a once great organization became gravely wounded,” he said. “Diversity, equity and inclusion. DEI crept in.”

He cited several changes.

“The name was changed to scouting America. Girls were accepted,” Hegseth said. “The focus on God as the ruler of the universe was watered down to include openness to humanism and Earth centered pagan religions.”

“Scouting became an organization that no longer supported and celebrated boys,” he continued. “They even welcomed the destructive myth of gender fluidity and transgenderism to infiltrate their membership.”

He added, “Along the way, standards were lowered and merit destroyed in favor of an insidious radical woke ideology that is anti America and anti American.”

Hegseth pointed to membership figures as evidence of decline.

“The result, membership cratered. Americans didn’t want this,” he said. “In 1970 10 million boys participated in Boy Scouts. Currently, less than 1 million boys and girls participate.”

He also noted that community organizations withdrew support and that Scouting America filed for bankruptcy protection.

Hegseth said the policy shifts jeopardized the organization’s relationship with the department.

“I was very seriously considering ending our support of scouting altogether,” he said. “We have a department to protect after all.”

He also referenced President Trump’s executive order.

“The policies scouting America have in place violate President Trump’s executive order, 14173, entitled ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit based opportunity,” Hegseth said.

Before taking action, he said he met with Scouting America leadership.

“But before making this big change, I decided to meet with the current scouting leadership to convey our deep concerns,” he said.

Hegseth outlined reforms agreed upon following those meetings.

“First, scouting America has agreed to comply immediately with the provisions of executive order. 14173,” he said. “No more DEI. Zero.”

He said the “quote citizen in society. Merit badge” had been discontinued.

“That badge has been discontinued,” he said.

He added that membership policies would be revised.

“Third scouting America will modify its policy to make clear that membership will be based solely on biological sex at birth and not gender identity,” Hegseth said. “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.”

“Scouting will also make clear that biological boys and girls will not be allowed to occupy or share intimate spaces together, toilets, showers, tents, anywhere like that,” he said.

He also announced a fee waiver for military families.

“Fourth, scouting America will honor those who serve by waiving the registration fees for children of active duty, Guard and Reserve families,” Hegseth said. “Should have happened a long time ago.”

Additionally, he said a new merit badge would be introduced.

“Fifth, in partnership with the War Department, scouting America will introduce a new military service merit badge,” he said.

Hegseth said the department’s continued support depends on progress over the next six months.

“As President Reagan famously said, Trust but verify,” he said.

“This agreement is new, and the department’s support for scouting America is contingent on them making substantial progress toward reaching these and many other positive changes in the next six months,” Hegseth said.

“At that time, we’ll vigorously review progress and decide whether or not to continue our support,” he added. “The onus is squarely on scouting America to deliver.”

“If we’re unsatisfied with scouting America’s progress toward and commitment to the agreed upon reforms, we will find them in violation of the President’s executive order and cease our support,” Hegseth said. “We hope that doesn’t happen, but it could.”

He concluded by referencing other youth organizations.

“Ideally, I believe the Boy Scouts should go back to being the Boy Scouts as originally founded, a group that develops Boys Into Men,” Hegseth said. “Maybe someday.”

“There are also additional youth and boys organizations, groups like trail life USA and Awana clubs that are already compliant with President Trump’s executive order that the department may eventually support as well,” he said. “But we’re watching, and we’re watching closely.”

“We look forward to providing you with updates after our six month review, and wish the best to scouting America.”

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