GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — As the 2017 Boy Scout National Jamboree held the gathering’s final events Thursday, the youth organization’s chief executive issued an apology for President Donald Trump’s political rhetoric earlier this week.
Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh said the president’s remarks Monday in front of 40,000 Scouts, volunteers and leaders did not align with the Boy Scouts of America’s non-partisan mission.
“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,” Surbaugh said in a letter. “That was never our intent.”
Trump used his 38-minute address at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve to push for repealing and replacing “Obamacare,” boast about his November 2016 election victory and jab political rivals.
During two moments of Trump’s address, the audience booed former President Barack Obama and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Following the speech, a Boy Scouts of America representative told MetroNews the organization is “wholly non-partisan and does not promote any one position, product, service, political candidate or philosophy.”
Trump, like U.S. presidents dating back to 1910, serves as honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America. He was the eighth president to visit a Jamboree in office.
“The invitation for the sitting U.S. President to visit the National Jamboree is a long-standing tradition that has been extended to the leader of our nation that has had a Jamboree during his term since 1937,” Surbaugh said.
Surbaugh also said while the group has been called upon to take political positions in the past, it has continuously refused to do so.
“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,” he said. “Trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness and bravery are just a few of the admirable traits Scouts aspire to develop.”
According to Surbaugh, Scouts have taken part in more than 100,000 hours worth of service. At the Summit Bechtel Reserve, mountain biking, zip-lining and kayaking were just some of the activities available during the 10-day event.
“But for our Scouting family at home not able to see these real moments of Scouting, we know the past few days have been overshadowed by the remarks offered by the President of the United States,” Surbuagh said.
Boy Scouts of America president Randall Stephenson told the Associated Press he expected Trump would get political. He also added there were guidelines issued to adult staff members prior to the speech regarding how the audience should react.
“There were some areas where perhaps they were not in compliance with what we instructed,” said Stephenson, who is also the CEO of AT&T Inc. “There’s probably criticism that could be leveled.”
U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., said Tuesday the president’s speech was “extremely well-received.” Jenkins was just one public official who spent time with Trump during his visit to the Fayette County facility.
The White House said Thursday it would not apologize for Trump’s remarks.
The Jamboree concluded Thursday with a farewell show at AT&T Stadium. Plain White T’s performed at the concert. Scouts will begin leaving Friday morning.