The Head of the Boy Scouts Apologizes for Donald Trump

“We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program.”

Andrea Hanks/ZUMA

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

It’s come to this: The Boy Scouts of America is forced to make excuses for what the president of the United States told an audience of children. 

After initially attempting to distance itself from President Donald Trump’s roundly-criticized speech at the Boy Scouts Jamboree, the chief executive of the organization on Thursday issued a strong statement expressing regret over the controversial remarks, which included political attacks on the president’s opponents and those who threaten his legislative agenda. 

“I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree,” Michael Surbaugh wrote. “That was never our intent.”

“We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program,” the statement continued. “While we live in a challenging time in a country divided along political lines, the focus of Scouting remains the same today as every day.

Previous presidents have traditionally used the gathering to discuss the virtues of the youth organization, such as honor and respect. Instead, Trump on Monday assailed Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, ranted about election night, and threatened Republican lawmakers unwilling to support the party’s harried attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Many likened the president’s rhetoric to his inflammatory campaign rally speeches, which occasionally drew incidents of violence.

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate