In a surprising move that has left many scratching their heads, the Girl Scouts of America are set to march in Trump’s inaugural parade, and Twitter is ablaze with discontent. Announced just yesterday, the roster of participants for the parade includes everything from college marching bands to military and veteran groups—but it’s the presence of the Girl Scouts that has really ruffled feathers. Notably, the Boy Scouts are also participating, but that’s not causing quite the same stir, for reasons that are pretty clear.
Almost immediately, parents and other critics took to social media to express their disappointment. While the Girl Scouts have a long history of participating in inaugural events—over a century, in fact—many argue that marching in this particular parade runs counter to the organization’s core values. Their main concern? The well-documented history of President-elect Donald Trump’s sexist comments and allegations of sexual harassment. In other words, some folks are suggesting that perhaps the Girl Scouts should just sit this one out?
In response to the backlash, the Girl Scouts quickly defended their decision. Acknowledging the “strong public response” to their involvement, they pointed out that they will also be participating in the Women’s March on Washington the very next day. This juxtaposition has left many puzzled, but the Girl Scouts are sticking to their guns, citing a nonpartisan stance as a reason for their participation.
“Our movement encompasses individuals with a wide range of political beliefs,” the organization stated. “Every girl has a place in the Girl Scouts, and they are free to hold their own opinions and political ideologies.” They emphasized that their mission is to empower girls to become leaders in their communities, which includes advocating for the issues that matter most to them.
“Of course, we are a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that by law cannot endorse political candidates or parties—and we take this responsibility seriously,” they added. “Advocating for change on issues one cares about isn’t at odds with participating in a century-long tradition that represents the peaceful exchange of power.”
Despite the controversy, there’s another pressing question on the minds of many: to boycott or not to boycott the beloved cookie organization that has people obsessing over their Thin Mints?
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Summary
The Girl Scouts of America’s decision to march in Trump’s inaugural parade has sparked significant backlash on social media, with many questioning the alignment of this participation with the organization’s values, especially in light of the president-elect’s controversial history. While the Girl Scouts assert their nonpartisan stance and commitment to empowering girls, many are torn about their loyalty to the cookie brand.