A Heartbreaking Shift Only 12 Months Has Made in the US

One year ago, the environment was utterly distinct. Prior to the US presidential election, reflective citizens could acknowledge America's significant faults – its inequities and imbalance – yet they still could perceive it as the United States. A free society. A country where legal governance meant something. A country led by a honorable and decent public servant, despite his older age and increasing frailty.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens hardly identify the land we inhabit. People alleged as illegal immigrants are detained and shoved into vans, at times refused legal rights. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque event space. The leader is persecuting his adversaries or alleged foes and demanding federal prosecutors surrender a huge total of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are being sent to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight while it uses potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, media outlets are submitting from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are regarded as aristocracy.

“America, shortly prior to its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and extremism,” a noted author, stated this past summer. “Ultimately, more quickly than I imagined possible, it transpired here.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it's challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and how quickly it has happened.

Nevertheless, we know that Trump was legitimately chosen. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and despite the alerts associated with the awareness of Project 2025 – following the president personally said publicly he would be a dictator just on day one – enough Americans chose him instead of the other candidate.

Frightening as the present situation are, it's more frightening to recognize that we have only been several months into this administration. Where will an additional three years of this downfall leave us? And suppose the three years turns into a more extended duration, since there is nobody to limit this leader from deciding that another term is necessary, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. There will be midterm elections next year which might create a new political equilibrium, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of Congress. There are elected officials who are striving to impose certain responsibility, for example lawmakers that are launching an investigation into the attempted cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a national vote in 2028 could begin the path to healing precisely as last year’s election set us on this regrettable path.

There exist millions of Americans protesting in urban areas of their cities, like they performed in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of the US is awakening”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or amid the sixties activism or in the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

Reich says he knows the signs of that revival and observes it occurring currently. As evidence, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition against a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous defiance by media to agree to military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists dormant before specific greed becomes so noxious, an specific act so disrespectful of the common good, specific cruelty so noisy, that he has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may prove to be right.

In the meantime, the big questions persist: can America regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its status in the world and its commitment to constitutional order?

Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is correct; that everything could be finished. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that involves urging journalists to commit, more fully, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with political races, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to defend electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or after another term? The truth is, we don’t know. Our sole course is to strive to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The interaction I encounter in the classroom with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always