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Twelve months back, the landscape was completely distinct. Prior to the US presidential election, reflective citizens could admit the nation's significant faults – its unfairness and imbalance – however they continued to identify it as the United States. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order meant something. A state guided by a dignified and ethical leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and increasing frailty.

These days, as October 2025 ends, many of us barely recognize the nation we live in. Individuals suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and shoved into transport, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish ballroom. The president is targeting his adversaries or alleged foes and demanding federal prosecutors hand over a huge total of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are being sent to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, renamed the Department of War, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination while it uses potentially totaling close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, media outlets are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are handled as nobility.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the edge toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, commented in August. “Ultimately, swifter than I believed likely, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. And it is challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – how severely declined we are, and the speed at which it unfolded.

Yet, it is known that the president was properly voted in. Despite his highly troubling first term and following the warnings associated with the knowledge of the conservative plan – following Trump himself said publicly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans chose him over his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as the present situation may be, it's more frightening to recognize that we have only been several months into this presidential term. Where will three more years of this downfall find us? And suppose the three years transforms into a more extended duration, as there is no one to limit this leader from determining that another term is required, possibly for defense purposes?

Admittedly, all is not lost. We will have legislative votes in 2026 that may create a new governmental control, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of parliament. There are public servants who are trying to impose some accountability, for example lawmakers currently starting a probe concerning the try to fund seizure from legal authorities.

And a national vote in the next cycle could begin our journey to recovery just as last year’s election placed us on this regrettable path.

There exist numerous residents marching in public spaces across municipalities, as they did in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is rising”, just as it did post-McCarthyism during the fifties or throughout the sixties activism or in the seventies crisis.

During those times, the listing ship eventually was righted.

He claims he recognizes the signs of that awakening and observes it occurring currently. As support, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, multi-faction opposition against a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal defiance by media to sign government requirements they only publish authorized information.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists dormant until specific greed grows too toxic, a particular deed so offensive toward public welfare, certain violence so loud, that the giant is forced other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: is the US able to ever recover? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the latter is true; that everything could be lost. My positive feelings, nevertheless, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

Personally, as a media critic, that’s about encouraging reporters to commit, more thoroughly, to their mission of holding power to account. For some people, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to defend electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The fact is, we don’t know. Our sole course is try to not give up.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The contact I encounter during teaching with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always