What was it like to serve as a Black federal employee during the most divisive presidency in modern American history? In this powerful episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty sits down with Deric Gilliard, activist, author, and retired federal public affairs advisor, to discuss his experiences promoting Trump administration policies.
Gilliard—whose career spanned five administrations from Clinton to Biden—shares stories from his new book, The Longest Four Years of My Life: A View from the Field by a Black Fed. He provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the dismantling of programs that supported Black communities, attacks on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, and efforts to erase history at the Smithsonian.
📌 Key Topics Covered:
• The Trump administration’s elimination of thousands of federal jobs.
• Canceling Department of Education support programs.
• Weakening of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
• Stripping diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Attempts to rewrite history around slavery.
• Stark contrasts between Trump’s policies and Biden’s efforts to restore equity.
Deric also reflects on his earlier career, particularly during the Obama years, and shares how his work connected to Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of equality. His story is both a warning and a call to action for all Americans who care about democracy, justice, and truth.
👉 Don’t miss this insider perspective on the Trump years, race, and policy.
📖 Order The Longest Four Years of My Life on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4nfa7yP.
🎧 Subscribe to the Lean to the Left podcast for more conversations on politics, justice, and social change.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Trump's Promises to Black Americans
01:39 Deric Gillard's Background and Career
04:07 Experiences Under Different Administrations
06:06 Impact of Trump's Policies
11:25 COVID-19 and Trump's Leadership
15:10 Federal Workforce and Safety Nets
19:47 Trolling Trump on Social Media
20:10 Impact of Cutting Education Programs
21:11 Trump's Obsession with the Affordable Care Act
22:14 Obama's Legacy and Racial Backlash
25:15 Reflections on Working for Different Presidents
33:27 The Importance of Telehealth During COVID
34:24 Promoting Justice and Equality
35:31 Discussing the New Book
36:44 Upcoming Book Club Announcement
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