The Stewards have been subject to a number of exposés in the national media and controversies regarding their involvement with Georgetown's student government (GUSA) and perceived political leanings.

The Second Stewards Society operates a charitable endowment that donates to Georgetown University and related student organizations, although the rest of the group's activities are generally opaque to the public.

Joseph Durkin, S.J, the advisor of the organization, publicly exposed the group in a letter written to the Georgetown student newspaper, The Hoya.

[4] The Stewards were largely believed by the student body to have become defunct at this time; until, in 2001, a member of the group published an article in The Georgetown Academy magazine explaining the organization and its objectives.

[6] At some point, a clock was installed in Georgetown's Red Square with a plaque referencing a former member of the Stewards and displaying the two-key logo of the organization.

[10] Following the Steward Throat leak, financial documents were uncovered showing the group held net assets of $147,000 and predominately donated to the campus's debate society, theater organization, and right-wing opinion journal.

The Stewards have been criticized as having "undertones of conservative religiousness, and.. anti-modern(ism)," and being seen as an effort to "manipulate student opinion and university agendas".

Dean of Students John DeGioia stated, "I don't believe that was my responsibility [in reference to the group disbanding], but I did make it clear to them that we do not tolerate the activities of a secret society on our campus."

DeGioia claimed to have been previously approached by the organization but refused to offer them any support or formal recognition, as secret societies were a violation of university policy.

[13] The Stewards have contested these claims, asserting that their members include a range of religious and political identities; specifically citing that the student body presidential candidate outed in 2013 identified as a Jewish Democrat.

[4] Furthermore, following the White Rose leaks, Second Stewards Society spokesperson Adam Augustine Carter claimed the organization was apolitical and was not "defined by race, faith or ideology.