Robert Reich

In August 2026, Reich acknowledged that he had always opposed gerrymandering but argued that, in response to Republican redistricting strategies, Democrats might temporarily have to use the same tactics. The position prompted a familiar criticism of inconsistency: opposing a practice as undemocratic and then accepting it when used as a countermeasure.

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Admitted by the person

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Personally implicated

After Reich challenged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's claim that the US economy was no longer 'K-shaped', citing difficulties faced by low- and middle-income households, Bessent publicly responded by mocking his analysis and suggesting that the University of California, Berkeley should dismiss him.

State of the evidence

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Directly implicated

As Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich served in an administration that secured passage of NAFTA and had to defend the agreement against strong trade union opposition. Looking back, he stated that he regretted not having fought more vigorously against a series of Clinton-era decisions — NAFTA, China's accession to the WTO, financial deregulation and weakening trade union power — which he believes shifted power towards large corporations and the wealthy.

State of the evidence

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Political responsibility

Reich supported the designation of a house near his Berkeley home as a historic landmark when a development proposed ten homes, including one for a very low-income household, on the plot. YIMBY campaigners accused an intellectual known for his positions on inequality and housing of defending neighbourhood interests at the expense of higher-density housing.

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Personally implicated

Following violence that led to the cancellation of a Milo Yiannopoulos appearance at Berkeley, Reich told CNN that he had heard rumours suggesting some agitators might be linked to right-wing groups or Breitbart and said he 'wouldn't bet against' that hypothesis. He subsequently raised on his blog the possibility of an operation intended to justify an offensive against universities.

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Personally implicated

Robert Reich strongly opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiated by the Obama administration, arguing that the process was too opaque, large corporations enjoyed privileged access and investor-state mechanisms would strengthen multinational companies at the expense of workers and governments.

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Personally implicated

The Clinton administration issued an executive order barring certain federal contracts from being awarded to companies using permanent replacement workers against employees engaged in lawful strikes, with Reich responsible for a significant part of its implementation. Businesses and Republicans denounced an attempt to circumvent Congress and existing labour law. A federal appeals court invalidated the measure, finding that the President had exceeded his authority.

State of the evidence

Documented

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Directly implicated