Deric A. Gilliard’s Bold Perspective on the Trump Administration in His New Book

The Longest Four Years of My Life: A Black Fed’s Journey Through the Trump

NATIONWIDE - SEPTEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world and protests erupted across the U.S. for racial justice, one career federal employee found himself at the crossroads of a turbulent moment in history. Deric A. Gilliard, a seasoned public affairs advisor, was serving in one of the most challenging roles of his career at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). His time spent working under political appointees across five administrations culminated in a unique perspective, one shaped by decades of service in an era of rising political polarization and division. Gilliard’s new book, The Longest Four Years of My Life: A View from the Field by a Black Fed in the Trump Administration, delves into that tumultuous journey, offering a personal and unflinching narrative of his experiences.

Gilliard’s story is a blend of personal testimony and historical insight, showcasing the unique challenges faced by Black federal employees working under the Trump administration. His book is more than just a critique of a presidency; it’s a record of the lived experiences of a professional navigating a political environment that often seemed at odds with the values of racial justice, equity, and public service.

A Legacy of Service and Advocacy

Gilliard’s career path was shaped by a strong commitment to both journalism and social justice. After completing his journalistic work with Time, USA Today, and the Atlanta Daily World, Gilliard continued his journey in public service, having served in pivotal roles that influenced both communication and advocacy. His work at two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) further developed his passion for advocating for marginalized communities. This experience laid the foundation for his later efforts in government, where Gilliard's sense of duty to help people, especially those facing systemic barriers, was tested like never before.

His journey includes pivotal roles, such as serving as the national communications director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) under Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Gilliard’s experiences in journalism and public service helped hone his skills in communicating complex issues clearly and powerfully. But it was his time at HHS that would come to define his legacy. As a public affairs advisor, Gilliard served under political appointees across five presidential administrations: Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden, with a focus on health policy in the Southeastern United States.

It was during his work under the Trump administration that Gilliard began to feel the weight of political decisions on the ground, particularly as he navigated the realities of a changing political climate that seemed increasingly at odds with the communities he was serving.

Navigating a Divisive Era

Gilliard's role in the Trump administration was one of constant navigation between policy and human impact. His responsibility stretched across several of the country’s most racially diverse and economically challenged regions, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In these states, where racial disparities in healthcare, economic security, and education have deep historical roots, Gilliard faced the profound effects of the administration’s policies. The Trump administration’s stance on healthcare, immigration, and race often seemed to be in direct opposition to the needs of Black and Brown communities, placing Gilliard in an increasingly difficult position.

The Trump administration, as Gilliard notes in his book, was one of the most divisive in modern U.S. history. His firsthand experiences managing federal health programs in these regions provide an insightful and personal look at the intersection of policy and its real-world consequences. Gilliard recalls contentious debates around the Affordable Care Act, the administration's treatment of immigrant children at the U.S. border, and the overall impact of federal policies on minority communities. His book offers a rare, personal perspective on the human toll these policies exacted on everyday people.

“Working under this administration, particularly in a region where the effects of poverty and racism are so entrenched, was like walking a tightrope every day,” says Gilliard. “You had to balance the demands of a political appointee’s agenda with the realities of the people you were supposed to serve.”

The Impact of Race, Faith, and Justice

For Gilliard, the turning point in his career came when he realized his work was no longer just about policy implementation but about justice. His personal experiences with the impacts of the Trump administration’s actions led him to reflect deeply on issues of race, faith, and morality. Gilliard’s story is not one of passive observation but of active engagement with the systems he was a part of. As he worked with health navigators and community leaders, Gilliard felt a calling to help those who were attempting to fill gaps in services, even in the face of overwhelming political opposition.

His personal conviction to stay and serve during the Trump administration was rooted in the belief that he could help groups like health insurance navigators and federally qualified health centers that were providing vital services to underserved communities. Even though he and his colleagues were restricted from fieldwork, Gilliard believed that by staying involved, he could help the most vulnerable through an otherwise hostile environment.

“One of the key reasons I stayed through the Trump administration was because I believed I could help,” says Gilliard. “Despite the challenges, I knew that groups like health insurance navigators were trying to fill the gaps and provide services to people who needed them most. Even if we weren’t allowed to be in the field with them, I felt it was my responsibility to stay and help however I could.”

One of the most pivotal moments in Gilliard’s journey came during the immigrant family separation crisis and the broader challenges around healthcare access. The strain of working in an administration that used dehumanizing rhetoric toward minorities, immigrants, and people of color created both personal and professional conflict. But Gilliard’s resilience and unwavering commitment to his principles kept him grounded.

A Voice for Change: Gilliard’s Unique Perspective

Today, Deric A. Gilliard stands as an author, activist, and historian with a unique perspective on the intersection of race, justice, and politics in America. His book is not just a reflection of the past, but a call to action for future generations of public servants, activists, and policymakers to consider the human impact of their decisions.

What makes Gilliard’s narrative stand out is not just his insider’s view of the Trump administration but his ability to weave together personal history with political analysis. His experiences give readers a rare glimpse into the challenges of navigating the federal bureaucracy, while his commitment to social justice offers a timely reminder of the importance of fighting for equity in even the most difficult circumstances.

Visit www.DericGilliard.com for more information about the book and to purchase your copy. Stay connected with Gilliard’s ongoing work and social justice initiatives by following him on Facebook and Instagram.