A Tragic Change Just One Year Has Made in the US

In late October 2024, the environment was entirely distinct. Prior to the national election, reflective citizens could admit America's deep flaws – its unfairness and inequality – yet they could still see it as America. A democratic nation. A country where constitutional order held significance. A country headed by a respectable and ethical official, despite his advanced age and declining health.

Currently, in late October 2025, many of us scarcely know the land we reside in. Individuals suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and shoved into vans, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is being torn down to build a lavish ballroom. The president is persecuting his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding legal authorities transfer a huge total of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are dispatched across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Department of War, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination as it spends potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Universities, legal practices, news companies are buckling from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are regarded as nobility.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Finally, faster than I imagined possible, it transpired in America.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it's difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we are, and how quickly it has happened.

Nevertheless, we know that the leader was properly voted in. Even after his profoundly alarming initial presidency and following the alerts that came with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – despite the leader directly declared plainly he planned to be a dictator just on day one – sufficient voters selected him instead of the other candidate.

While alarming as the present situation is, it's more daunting to realize that we have only been nine months under this leadership. Where will three more years of this decline leave us? And if that timeframe turns into an prolonged era, because there is no one to stop this president from determining that a third term is required, possibly for security concerns?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There are congressional elections in 2026 that could create a new political equilibrium, in case Democrats recapture either chamber of Congress. There exist government representatives who are trying to apply some accountability, like Democratic congressmen currently launching an investigation concerning the try to money grab from legal authorities.

And a leadership election in 2028 could initiate our journey to healing exactly as the previous vote set us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are countless citizens marching in urban areas of their cities, similar to recent in the past days during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the slumbering force of the US is rising”, just as it did post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or during the Vietnam war protests or during the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

The author states he recognizes the signals of that revival and sees it happening now. As support, he references the recent massive protests, the widespread, bipartisan pushback regarding a television host's removal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to accept military mandates they report only what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force consistently stays dormant before some venality turns extremely harmful, an specific act so contemptuous toward public welfare, certain violence so disruptive, that it is forced but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may be validated.

Meanwhile, the big questions remain: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it reclaim its position globally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the latter is accurate; that all may indeed be lost. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we must try, by any means we can.

For me, as an observer of the press, that means encouraging reporters to adhere, more completely, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For others, it may be working on political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to protect electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we lived in an alternate reality. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I encounter with students with new media professionals, who are both visionary and practical, {always