Late last week the Associated Press and several other media outlets reported on changes within Scouting America (fka the Boy Scouts). And there is a whole lot wrong with Scouting America bowing to the whims of “Defense Secretary” Pete Hegseth, as did the national organization, apparently without consulting the local councils.
But the Scouts eliminating the “Citizenship in Society” Merit Badge from its roster and from the requirements for the coveted Eagle Scout award in appeasement to the Trump administration’s anti-DEI initiative should be at the top of the list (https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/citizenship-in-society-merit-badge-discontinuance). One of my sons is an Eagle Scout. Two of my grandsons are in the early ranks of the Cub Scouts. According to the Scouting America website, the merit badge was dropped, effective Feb. 28, 2026.
Many American citizens are already exhibiting a collective ignorance of civics and their roles as citizens. The Trump administration is rolling out the “History Rocks” initiative by the Department of Education, while attempting to strip history from historic sites, as was recently demonstrated in Philadelphia.
Now they have coerced an organization that had been dedicated to raising youth to become contributing members of society to abandon that initiative. This is a sad day for Scouting America and the Scouts.
Chris Donovan
Oak Park
