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One year ago, the landscape was entirely distinct. Ahead of the American presidential vote, reflective Americans could acknowledge America's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – however they continued to identify it as the US. A free society. A country where legal governance carried weight. A nation headed by a dignified and ethical leader, even with his elderly years and declining health.

These days, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans hardly identify the land we inhabit. People alleged as unauthorized foreigners are collected and shoved into vehicles, occasionally refused legal rights. The left side of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish dance hall. Donald Trump is persecuting his adversaries or supposed enemies and insisting the justice department transfer a massive sum of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The Pentagon, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight as it spends possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like aristocracy.

“The United States, just months before its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the limit toward dictatorship and extremism,” a noted author, stated in August. “Finally, swifter than I thought feasible, it did happen in this country.”

Every morning starts to new horrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

Nevertheless, we understand that the leader was duly elected. Even after his highly troubling first term and following the cautions linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite the president personally declared plainly he intended to be a dictator just on day one – enough Americans selected him rather than Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the present situation are, it’s even scarier to understand that we are just nine months into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this decline position us? And what if that period becomes an prolonged era, since there is not anyone to limit this ruler from determining that additional tenure is essential, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, there is still hope. We will have midterm elections next year which might establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. We have government representatives who are striving to impose certain responsibility, for example lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in 2028 could begin the path to recovery precisely as the prior selection put us on this unfortunate course.

We see countless citizens marching in the streets throughout communities, similar to recent recently during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is awakening”, just as it did post-McCarthyism during the fifties or throughout anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he recognizes the signals of that revival and sees it happening now. As support, he cites the recent massive protests, the extensive, multi-faction opposition to a personality's dismissal and the largely united refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they solely cover authorized information.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists inactive till specific greed becomes so noxious, some action so offensive toward public welfare, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he is compelled except to rise.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may be validated.

At the same time, the big questions persist: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its position globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the final scenario is true; that everything could be lost. My hopeful heart, though, tells me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.

For me, as an observer of the press, that involves pushing media professionals to adhere, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For some people, it could mean working on congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to protect electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we lived in an alternate reality. In the future? Or three years from now? The fact is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have during teaching with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously idealistic and realistic, {always