The Devastating Shift Only 12 Months Has Brought in the US
One year ago, the landscape was entirely separate. Ahead of the national election, considerate Americans could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its inequities and imbalance – however they still could perceive it as the US. A free society. A place where legal governance held significance. A country led by a dignified and upright leader, despite his elderly years and increasing frailty.
Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans scarcely know the country we inhabit. People believed to be unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and pushed into transport, at times denied due process. The left side of the White House – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish dance hall. The president is persecuting his opponents or alleged foes and demanding the justice department surrender an enormous amount of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has effectively liberated itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, law firms, news companies are buckling from leader's menaces, and billionaires are handled as members of the royal family.
“America, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the brink toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” an American historian, commented in August. “Finally, swifter than I believed likely, it occurred here.”
One awakes with fresh terrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we have become, and how quickly it occurred.
However, we understand that the leader was legitimately chosen. Even after his highly troubling initial presidency and even after the warnings that came with the knowledge of Project 2025 – despite the leader directly declared plainly he would rule as a tyrant only on the first day – enough Americans chose him over his Democratic opponent.
As terrifying as today's circumstances are, it's more daunting to realize that we’re only several months into this administration. What will an additional three years of this downfall position us? And what if the three years turns into an prolonged era, since there is nobody to limit this president from opting that additional tenure is required, possibly for security concerns?
Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There are legislative votes in 2026 which might establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats retake either chamber of Congress. There are elected officials who are attempting to apply certain responsibility, like representatives that are launching an investigation into the attempted fund seizure from the justice department.
And a national vote in 2028 could start us down the road toward restoration exactly as last year’s election placed us on this unfortunate course.
There exist millions of Americans demonstrating in the streets across municipalities, similar to recent recently in the No Kings rallies.
Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the US is stirring”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or throughout the sixties activism or throughout the Nixon controversy.
On those occasions, the listing ship eventually was righted.
The author states he recognizes the signals of that revival and notices it unfolding now. For proof, he references the widespread marches, the widespread, bipartisan pushback against a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to accept government requirements they only publish approved content.
“The sleeping giant consistently stays dormant till certain corruption becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will be validated.
At the same time, the big questions persist: can America regain its footing? Can it retrieve its status globally and its adherence to constitutional order?
Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My negative thoughts suggests that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be gone. My positive feelings, nevertheless, tells me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.
In my case, as an observer of the press, that’s about urging journalists to adhere, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve working on congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to safeguard voting rights.
Less than a year ago, we were in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we are uncertain. All we can do is to attempt to not give up.
What’s Giving Me Hope Now
The engagement I have with students with new media professionals, who are equally visionary and grounded, {always
