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PRINCETON, New Jersey (Reuters) – Laura Petrillo vividly recalls an intense disagreement with Pete Hegseth in 2002 during her time at Princeton, where Hegseth would later be appointed as Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Defense. During this incident, Petrillo was adorning the campus with posters for the Organization of Women Leaders, a feminist group better known by its acronym OWL, when Hegseth and his associates from the conservative publication, The Princeton Tory, confronted her by tearing down her posters and replacing them with their own, sparking a verbal clash.
While such confrontations among passionate college students are not particularly rare, this episode was a significant example of Hegseth’s engagement with feminism and women’s issues during his college years, which have since come under scrutiny as he opposed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military. Reuters interviewed over a dozen former students, faculty, and staff members to gain insight into Hegseth’s experience at Yale from 1999 to 2003.
Despite the nature of these past incidents receiving little attention, Hegseth’s spokesperson declined to comment on specifics regarding this altercation. The university itself also remained silent when asked about Hegseth’s conduct during his time at Princeton.
Hegseth’s perspectives on diversity within the military, particularly concerning women’s roles, are expected to emerge as key points of discussion in his Senate confirmation hearings.
An article published by The Tory in 2002 featured a cartoon owl in a gun sight, which later showed an illustration of the same owl with bullet holes and blood. Petrillo, who served as OWL’s publicity chair, described that imagery as openly threatening.
The article was titled “Killing Feminism: OWL sabotages the women’s movement,” reflecting Hegseth’s editorial direction that often included controversial views, such as labeling homosexuality as “abnormal and immoral.” He also controversially suggested that sexual intercourse with an unconscious woman shouldn’t universally be viewed as rape due to lack of explicit duress, alongside critiques of Princeton’s focus on promoting diversity.
Former OWL member Brittany Hume Charm recalled attempts at reconciliation with Hegseth, noting his presence in ROTC uniform during discussions as intended to intimidate rather than foster communication.
Contrarily, some classmates described Hegseth as approachable and self-deprecating, pointing to a friendly paintball match between him and the leader of the college Democrats as evidence of his easy-going nature. Judson Wallace, who played basketball with him at Princeton, remembered him as hardworking and compassionate, even if he wasn’t a starter on the team.
Tessa Muir, a former Army captain who worked alongside Hegseth in ROTC, expressed her initial positive impression of him, although she now grapples with his current opposition to women in combat roles, which she feels undermines his previous kindness.
In a significant revelation, Thema Bryant, who led Princeton’s sexual assault response office from 2001 to 2004, criticized Hegseth’s defense of an article that questioned the relevance of consent in cases involving unconscious individuals. Bryant contended that Hegseth owed an apology for the article’s insensitivity and raised concerns about whether he could be trusted in a position responsible for protecting others.
During Hegseth’s time at Princeton, the Department of Education recorded a number of sexual offenses on campus, underscoring the issue of sexual assault in educational institutions, a reflection of the broader challenges faced by the military as well.
Hegseth’s conservative beliefs and love for the military appeared to shape his identity at Princeton, according to his father, Brian Hegseth, who noted that his son intentionally challenged prevailing narratives instead of conforming.
His polarizing stances sometimes made him a target for mockery among peers, including jokes circulating after his nomination for the Pentagon position, which referenced him in a humorous light in past campus publications.
Post-graduation, Hegseth served in military operations across diverse locations, including Afghanistan and Iraq, and earned multiple Bronze Stars along the way. He completed a Master’s degree from Harvard University in 2013.
Despite his decorated service, Hegseth claims to encounter a media-driven smear campaign, citing past incidents where he faced scrutiny over behaviors and accusations during his military career, including an alleged incident concerning tattoos.
Drawing parallels between his previous experiences and his current fight for the defense secretary role, Hegseth likened his journey to that of a team member often sidelined, declaring himself accustomed to facing challenges and criticisms.
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