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Twelve months back, the landscape was utterly separate. Before the US presidential election, reflective citizens could recognize the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – yet they continued to perceive it as the US. A democracy. A place where legal governance held significance. A nation guided by a honorable and ethical public servant, even with his advanced age and declining health.

Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens hardly identify the country we inhabit. Persons alleged as undocumented migrants are collected and forced into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being destroyed to build a lavish event space. The leader is harassing his political rivals or supposed enemies and requesting legal authorities hand over a massive sum of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has practically rid itself of routine media oversight as it spends potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Colleges, law firms, journalism organizations are yielding under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are treated like aristocracy.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the brink toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Finally, faster than I thought feasible, it transpired in America.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it's hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and the speed at which it has happened.

However, we understand that the president was properly voted in. Following his highly troubling initial presidency and despite the cautions associated with the knowledge of Project 2025 – following the leader directly said publicly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – sufficient voters chose him over his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as the current reality is, it's more frightening to realize that we have only been three-quarters of a year under this leadership. What will another 36 months of this decline position us? And suppose that period transforms into a more extended duration, since there is no one to limit this president from deciding that another term is necessary, perhaps for national security reasons?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. We will have legislative votes the coming year which might create a new governmental control, if Democrats retake one or both houses of parliament. There are elected officials who are striving to impose a degree of oversight, for example Democratic congressmen that are starting a probe into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.

And a national vote three years from now could begin us down the road to healing just as last year’s election put us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see millions of Americans marching in urban areas across municipalities, as they did recently in the No Kings rallies.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of America is rising”, just as it did following the Red Scare in that decade or amid anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

He claims he understands the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he cites the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a personality's dismissal and the largely united defiance by media to accept government requirements they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity always remains dormant till certain corruption grows too toxic, an specific act so disrespectful of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that it is forced except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: will the nation return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status globally and its devotion to constitutional order?

Or must we acknowledge that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My negative thoughts indicates that the second option is accurate; that everything might be lost. My optimistic spirit, though, advises me that we have to attempt, through all methods possible.

For me, as a media critic, that means encouraging reporters to live up, more fully, to their duty of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve engaging with congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or developing approaches to defend electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we existed in an alternate reality. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is to attempt to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have during teaching with young journalists, that are simultaneously idealistic and grounded, {always