Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth have, once again, seized on yet another American institution to destroy: Scouting America. Pete leads the attack, criticizing them for allowing girls to join and changing its name from Boy Scouts. Claiming it has strayed from its mission, becoming too “genderless” and undermining “masculine values,” they threaten to pull all funding from Scouting America if they do not return to and abide by their military roots. 

Every one of us has either been a Scout — girl or boy — or knows a young person who has. Maine had its first active troop in 1912. Since then, thousands of Maine’s young people have been actively engaged, contributing to their communities and themselves.

My 6-year-old grandson just became a Scout; he is elated. After the troop’s first meeting, he proudly told his parents they had made sandwiches for homeless people. At the most recent gathering they raced cars they had made. Out of 46 cars on the track, his had the fastest time. He was on “top of the world” but also told me about the others kids’ cars and times. The camaraderie, the new friends being made and the projects they are doing are the epitome of what we hope our children and grandchildren are engaged in. They are thriving. 

But this administration reminds us hourly that nothing is off the table. Nothing is sacrosanct. Everything is fair game. Destruction is their only aim. These ruthless attacks on American culture are beyond reproach.

Luisa Deprez
Cape Elizabeth