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Twelve months back, the situation was completely distinct. Ahead of the US presidential election, considerate citizens could recognize the nation's significant faults – its inequities and disparity – but they still could see it as the US. A free society. A place where the rule of law meant something. A country led by a respectable and ethical leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and declining health.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens hardly identify the country we live in. Individuals believed to be illegal immigrants are detained and pushed into vans, at times blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the White House – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish event space. The president is harassing his political rivals or perceived antagonists and requesting legal authorities hand over a huge total of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are being sent into American cities under fabricated reasons. The military command, relabeled the War Department, has practically liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of what could amount to nearly $1tn in public funds. Universities, attorney offices, news companies are submitting from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are treated like members of the royal family.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” an American historian, stated in August. “Finally, swifter than I imagined possible, it occurred in this country.”

Each day begins to new horrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we are, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Yet, it is known that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his highly troubling previous administration and even after the warnings linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following the president personally said publicly he intended to rule as a tyrant just on day one – sufficient voters chose him rather than Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the present situation may be, it's more frightening to realize that we have only been three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. Where will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And what if that timeframe turns into a more extended duration, since there is nobody to limit this leader from determining that another term is necessary, perhaps for security concerns?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. We will have congressional elections next year that may bring a different balance of power, should Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. There exist government representatives who are striving to impose a degree of oversight, for example lawmakers currently launching an investigation concerning the try to fund seizure from the justice department.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could initiate us down the road toward restoration exactly as last year’s election set us on this regrettable path.

There are numerous residents protesting in the streets of their cities, as they did in the past days in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of America is rising”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism during the fifties or amid the Vietnam war protests or during the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

Reich says he understands the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to accept the defense department’s demands they only publish approved content.

“The dormant force perpetually exists dormant before specific greed becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful of the common good, specific cruelty so noisy, that it is forced except to rise.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries endure: will the nation ever recover? Is it possible to restore its status in the world and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or should we recognize that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My cynical mind suggests that the final scenario is accurate; that all may indeed be finished. My optimistic spirit, though, advises me that we need to strive, by any means available.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that’s about urging journalists to commit, more completely, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it could mean working on political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to defend ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is try to continue fighting.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The contact I experience in the classroom with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and practical, {always