Scouts Drop DEI, 'Pro-Trans' Approach

Pentagon review prompts reversal of controversial policies

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Boy Scouts of America, now known as Scouting America, has decided to abandon the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies it had adopted in recent years, as well as the 'pro-trans' approach it had also implemented. This reversal comes after a review prompted by the Pentagon, which wanted to ensure US military contracts comply with Trump-era executive orders banning the 'poisonously racist DEI approach'.

Why it matters

The left had long targeted the Scouts, aiming to force the organization into 'culture-war submission'. The group had previously tried to compromise, but the reversal suggests they realized the left would never stop 'reforming' the Scouts until it became a 'servant of the unicause', as has happened at many other institutions like universities and the ACLU.

The details

While the Scouts are undoing the DEI and 'pro-trans' policies, they are not reversing other changes made in recent years, such as welcoming girls into scouting and allowing openly gay scoutmasters. The Pentagon review was prompted by Trump-era executive orders banning the 'poisonously racist DEI approach', and the Scouts' reversal is seen as ensuring compliance with those orders.

  • The Scouts' policy changes were announced on February 27, 2026.

The players

Scouting America

Formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, this organization has decided to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies as well as its 'pro-trans' approach.

Pete Hegseth

The Defense Secretary who prompted the review that led to Scouting America's policy reversal.

Woodrow Wilson

A former US President whose decision to force segregation on the federal civil service is cited as a cautionary tale about the dangers of social engineering policies.

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What they’re saying

“We're overjoyed to see Scouting America, long known as the Boy Scouts of America, ditch the DEI policies it adopted amid the country's post-2020 racial fever, as well as unwinding the dubious 'pro-trans' approach it also felt obliged to undertake.”

— Post Editorial Board (nypost.com)

What’s next

Congress is being urged to write the Trump-era executive orders banning the DEI approach into permanent law, in order to make the policy reversal more permanent and less vulnerable to being overturned by a future Democratic president.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing culture war battles over issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the ability of institutions like the Scouts to maintain their traditional values and mission in the face of pressure to conform to progressive agendas. It also raises questions about the role of the federal government in mandating or reversing such policies across public and private sectors.