Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s Pentagon nominee, sparked debates during his Princeton years (1999–2003) as a vocal conservative leader. Known for opposing modern feminism, diversity, and LGBTQ+ rights, Hegseth clashed with the Organization of Women Leaders (OWL) over posters and controversial Tory articles, including one depicting OWL’s owl mascot in a gunsight, which feminist leader Laura Petrillo described as “threatening.”
Hegseth’s Tory articles dismissed unconscious sexual assault as lacking “duress,” sparking criticism from alumni like Thema Bryant, who led Princeton’s anti-assault office. These stances raise questions about his stance on protecting military personnel.
While some peers recall Hegseth as kind and self-deprecating, others, like former Army captain Tessa Muir, express concern over his anti-women-in-combat rhetoric, softened during his confirmation bid.
Despite his Princeton controversies, Hegseth earned two Bronze Stars for service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, later earning a Master’s from Harvard in 2013. However, his record has faced scrutiny, including a 2021 “insider threat” label due to his tattoos and unresolved allegations of misconduct.
Hegseth compares his nomination struggle to his time as a benchwarmer on Princeton’s basketball team, saying, “I’m used to people coming at me.”
His confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee will likely highlight his military and ideological legacy.
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