History of Robert Reich in Timeline
Robert Reich is a prominent American political commentator, professor, author, and lawyer. He has held significant positions in multiple presidential administrations, including serving as Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton. Reich is known for his progressive political views and advocacy for economic equality. He frequently comments on economic and political issues, and has written extensively on topics such as income inequality, globalization, and the changing nature of work.
1914: Birth of Edwin Saul Reich
In 1914, Edwin Saul Reich, Robert Reich's father, was born.
1919: Birth of Mildred Freshman (Dorf)
In 1919, Mildred Freshman (née Dorf), Robert Reich's mother, was born.
June 24, 1946: Robert Reich's Birth
On June 24, 1946, Robert Bernard Reich was born. He is an American professor, author, lawyer, and political commentator.
1964: Murder of Michael Schwerner
In 1964, Michael Schwerner, who had protected Reich from bullies, was murdered in Mississippi by the Ku Klux Klan for registering African-American voters; this event inspired Reich.
1968: Graduation from Dartmouth College
In 1968, Reich graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College with a bachelor's degree in history.
1970: M.A. Degree from University of Oxford
In 1970, Reich received his M.A. degree from the University of Oxford.
1973: Law Clerk for Judge Frank M. Coffin
From 1973 to 1974, Reich served as a law clerk to Judge Frank M. Coffin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
1973: Marriage to Clare Dalton
In 1973, Robert Reich married British-born lawyer Clare Dalton in Cambridge, UK.
1974: Assistant to U.S. Solicitor General Robert Bork
From 1974 to 1976, Reich was an assistant to U.S. Solicitor General Robert Bork.
1976: End of role as assistant to Robert Bork
In 1976, Reich's time as assistant to U.S. Solicitor General Robert Bork came to an end.
1977: Director of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Reich as director of the Policy Planning staff at the Federal Trade Commission.
1980: Professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
From 1980 until 1992, Reich taught at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
1990: Co-founded The American Prospect
In 1990, Robert Reich co-founded The American Prospect magazine.
1991: Publication of "The Work of Nations"
In 1991, Robert Reich published his book "The Work of Nations", which became a best-seller.
1992: Clinton Platform and Reich's Vision
Consistent with the 1992 Clinton platform and his writings before taking office, Reich called for more federal spending on jobs training and infrastructure.
1992: Inclusion in Clinton's Campaign Platform
In 1992, Bill Clinton incorporated Reich's thinking into his campaign platform, and after winning the election, Clinton appointed Reich to head economic policy for the presidential transition.
1992: End of professorship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
In 1992, Reich ended his time as a professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
January 21, 1993: Confirmation as Secretary of Labor
On January 21, 1993, Robert Reich's nomination as Secretary of Labor was confirmed unanimously and without controversy.
July 1993: Reich's NAFTA Prediction
In July 1993, Reich stated that unions were incorrect in predicting job losses due to NAFTA, anticipating more automobile jobs would be created in the U.S. due to growth in the Mexican automobile market.
September 1993: Reich's Speech on Change and Flexibility
In a September 1993 speech to the Center for National Policy, Reich emphasized the need for flexibility in the face of change and acknowledged anxieties related to economic shifts.
1993: Secretary of Labor
In 1993, Robert Reich became the Secretary of Labor in President Bill Clinton's cabinet.
August 1994: Speeches on the "Anxious Class"
By August 1994, Reich, after largely being sidelined on policy, delivered the first of four major speeches on the emergence of a new "anxious class" of Americans concerned with global competition and technological change.
November 1994: Return to Clinton's Economic Team
Following a disastrous performance by the Democratic Party in the midterm elections in November 1994, Reich returned to the forefront of the Clinton economic team, with Clinton reframing his agenda around Reich's proposals.
February 1995: Opposition and Support on Striking Worker Ban
In February 1995, Reich faced opposition within the Clinton administration over his proposal to ban government contractors from permanently replacing striking workers, but Clinton sided with Reich, re-establishing his central role in economic policy.
December 1995: Commencement Speech at University of Maryland
In December 1995, Reich gave a commencement speech at the University of Maryland, College Park, decrying the increasing tendency of wealthy, educated Americans to separate themselves from the general population as "the secession of the successful America".
1996: Decision to Leave the Department of Labor
In 1996, between Clinton's re-election and second inauguration, Reich decided to leave the Department of Labor to spend more time with his sons.
April 1997: Publication of "Locked in the Cabinet"
In April 1997, Reich published his experiences working for the Clinton administration in his book "Locked in the Cabinet", criticizing figures like Dick Morris, Lane Kirkland, and Alan Greenspan, and expressing concerns about the Democratic Party.
1997: Professor at Brandeis University
In 1997, Reich became a professor at Brandeis University, teaching courses for undergraduates as well as in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
1997: End of term as Secretary of Labor
In 1997, Robert Reich concluded his service as Secretary of Labor in President Bill Clinton's cabinet.
2002: Gubernatorial Campaign
In 2002, Reich ran for the office of Governor of Massachusetts, losing in the Democratic primary to Shannon O'Brien; he also published the book "I'll Be Short" and supported same-sex marriage.
2003: Professor of the Year at Brandeis University
In 2003, Reich was elected Professor of the Year by the undergraduate student body at Brandeis University.
2004: Publication of "Reason: Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America"
In 2004, Reich published the book "Reason: Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America".
2004: Publication of Reason
In 2004, Robert Reich published his book "Reason", which became a best-seller.
September 2005: Testimony Against John Roberts
In September 2005, Robert Reich testified against John Roberts at his confirmation hearings for Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
2005: Endorsement of Deval Patrick
In 2005, instead of running for governor, Reich endorsed Deval Patrick for Governor of Massachusetts.
January 1, 2006: Joined UC Berkeley Faculty
On January 1, 2006, Reich joined the faculty of UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy.
January 2006: Chancellor's Professor at UC Berkeley
In January 2006, Reich became the Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.
2006: Death of Mildred Reich
In 2006, Mildred Reich, Robert Reich's mother, passed away.
2006: Patrick wins election
In November 2006, Deval Patrick, who Reich endorsed in 2005, ultimately won the general election.
2007: Publication of Supercapitalism
In 2007, Robert Reich published his book "Supercapitalism", which became a best-seller.
April 18, 2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama for President
On April 18, 2008, Robert Reich endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States. He also criticized the Clintons for their attacks on Obama during the primaries.
2008: Recognition by Time and The Wall Street Journal
In 2008, Time magazine named Reich one of the Ten Best Cabinet Members of the century, and The Wall Street Journal placed him sixth on its list of Most Influential Business Thinkers.
2008: Interview with The New York Times
In a 2008 interview with The New York Times, Robert Reich discussed his views on wealth redistribution and the role of taxes in a civilized society.
2010: Syndication by Tribune Content Agency
In 2010, Reich's weekly column was syndicated by the Tribune Content Agency.
2010: Publication of Aftershock
In 2010, Robert Reich published his book "Aftershock", which became a best-seller.
2010: Critique of Citizens United Ruling
In the 2017 documentary Saving Capitalism, Reich highlights the influence of the 2010 Citizens United ruling, which allowed corporations to contribute to election campaigns, and posits that large corporations began using financial power to purchase influence among the political class and to consolidate political power.
2012: Divorce from Clare Dalton
In 2012, Robert Reich divorced British-born lawyer Clare Dalton.
2012: Publication of Beyond Outrage
In 2012, Robert Reich published his book "Beyond Outrage", which became a best-seller.
2013: Partnership with Jacob Kornbluth for Inequality for All
In 2013, Robert Reich partnered with filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth to produce the documentary "Inequality for All", which was based on Reich's book "Aftershock". The documentary subsequently won a Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
2013: Award for Inequality for All at Sundance Film Festival
In 2013, the film "Inequality for All", by Robert Reich, won a U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Achievement in Filmmaking at the Sundance Film Festival.
2014: Advocacy for Raising Minimum Wage
In 2014, Robert Reich advocated for raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour over three years, believing it will not adversely impact big business and will increase the availability of higher-value workers.
2015: Publication of Saving Capitalism
In 2015, Robert Reich published his book "Saving Capitalism", which became a best-seller.
2015: Founding of Inequality Media
In 2015, Robert Reich, with Jacob Kornbluth, founded Inequality Media, which produces video content of Reich, including a "Resistance Report" and the weekly YouTube show The Common Good.
June 2016: Support for Universal Basic Income
In June 2016, on the eve of a referendum in Switzerland on basic income, Robert Reich declared that countries will eventually need to introduce this financial instrument, showing his support for an unconditional and universal basic income.
2016: Death of Edwin Saul Reich
In 2016, Edwin Saul Reich, Robert Reich's father, passed away.
2016: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Robert Reich endorsed Bernie Sanders for President of the United States. After Sanders ended his campaign, Reich urged Sanders's supporters to back the eventual Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.
2016: Opinion Column in Newsweek
Since the summer of 2016, Reich has contributed an opinion column to Newsweek magazine.
February 2017: Criticism of UC Berkeley's Decision
In February 2017, Reich criticized UC Berkeley's decision to host Milo Yiannopoulos and speculated about the possibility of right-wing agitators.
2017: Partnership with Jacob Kornbluth for Saving Capitalism
In 2017, Robert Reich again partnered with Jacob Kornbluth to produce the documentary "Saving Capitalism", based on Reich's book of that name. Netflix selected the film to be a Netflix Original Documentary.
2017: Netflix Debut of "Saving Capitalism"
In November 2017, "Saving Capitalism", a film by Robert Reich and Jacob Kornbluth, debuted on Netflix.
May 31, 2020: Criticism of Donald Trump's Response to Crises
On May 31, 2020, Robert Reich declared that "by having no constructive response to any of the monumental crises now convulsing America, Trump has abdicated his office."
July 2020: Opposition to High-Density Development Project
In July 2020, despite advocating for affordable housing, Robert Reich opposed a high-density development project in his own neighborhood in Berkeley, citing concerns about "the character of the neighborhood."
2020: Endorsement of Elizabeth Warren
In 2020, Robert Reich endorsed Elizabeth Warren for President of the United States.
2020: Opposition to Housing Development
In 2020, Robert Reich wrote letters to the City of Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission objecting to the construction of ten housing units (including one low-income unit) on a lot near Reich's home.
2021: Authors Substack newsletter, Robert Reich
Since 2021, Robert Reich has authored a Substack newsletter, Robert Reich, where he provides daily commentary on economic and political issues. The publication has attracted more than one million subscribers.
2021: Support for Donald Trump's Removal from Social Media
Since at least 2021, Robert Reich has publicly supported President Donald Trump's removal from Twitter and other social media platforms.
April 2022: Criticism of Elon Musk's Takeover of Twitter
In an April 2022 op-ed published in The Guardian, Robert Reich criticized Elon Musk's efforts to take over Twitter, opining that the "libertarian vision of an 'uncontrolled' internet" is "dangerous rubbish".
2022: Calling Ron DeSantis a fascist
In 2022, Robert Reich called Florida Governor Ron DeSantis a "fascist".
2022: Featured in The Simpsons season finale "Poorhouse Rock"
In 2022, Robert Reich was featured in The Simpsons season finale "Poorhouse Rock", where he briefly explains the economic decline of the American middle class during a musical sequence.
July 2023: Public address of dwarfism
In July 2023 Robert Reich publicly addressed his dwarfism, multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, also known as "Fairbank's disease" in a blog post titled "Why I'm So Short".
October 2023: "The last adult in the room" essay
In October 2023, Robert Reich wrote the essay "The last adult in the room", characterizing Joe Biden as "shrewd, careful, and calibrated" and expressing gratitude for Biden's leadership during turbulent times.
2023: Appearance in Dropout's Breaking News
In 2023, Robert Reich appeared in a cameo role in "Dropout America 2", the first episode of the 6th season of Dropout's Breaking News program, providing a fictional account of his son Sam's life.
2025: Endorsement of Zohran Mamdani
In 2025, Robert Reich endorsed New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary.
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