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Twelve months back, the landscape was utterly separate. Prior to the national election, considerate Americans could admit the nation's serious imperfections – its inequities and imbalance – yet they still could see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A place where legal governance carried weight. A state headed by a respectable and upright public servant, notwithstanding his advanced age and growing weakness.

These days, as October 2025 ends, many of us barely recognize the land we reside in. Individuals suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are collected and forced into vans, at times denied due process. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for an obscene dance hall. The leader is targeting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and demanding the justice department transfer a massive sum of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, relabeled the Department of War, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination while it uses what could amount to almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are submitting due to presidential intimidation, and rich magnates are regarded as nobility.

“The United States, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the limit into autocracy and fascism,” a noted author, commented recently. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen here.”

One awakes to new horrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that Trump was duly elected. Following his deeply disturbing initial presidency and following the warnings linked to the understanding of Project 2025 – despite the president personally stated openly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – sufficient voters chose him instead of his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as the current reality are, it's more frightening to realize that we have only been three-quarters of a year under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this deterioration position us? And suppose the three years turns into a more extended duration, since there is nobody to stop this leader from opting that another term is required, possibly for national security reasons?

Admittedly, all is not lost. We will have midterm elections in 2026 that could establish an alternate political equilibrium, in case Democrats recapture one or both houses of Congress. There exist public servants who are trying to apply certain responsibility, like representatives that are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in 2028 could start us down the road to healing just as last year’s election placed us on this unfortunate course.

There are countless citizens marching in the streets across municipalities, as they did last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is stirring”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or amid the sixties activism or in the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

He claims he recognizes the signals of that resurgence and sees it happening at present. As support, he references the recent massive protests, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the largely united refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they solely cover authorized information.

“The slumbering entity always remains inactive till some venality becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful of societal benefit, some brutality so noisy, that the giant has no choice but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may prove to be right.

In the meantime, the big questions endure: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position in the world and its devotion to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts tells me that the latter is accurate; that everything might be lost. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we must try, through all methods available.

Personally, as a media critic, that’s about urging journalists to adhere, more thoroughly, to their purpose of holding power to account. For different individuals, it might involve participating in political races, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to safeguard electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we existed in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to not give up.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I encounter during teaching with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always