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Twelve months back, the environment was entirely distinct. Prior to the national election, reflective Americans could admit the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – however they still could see it as the United States. A democracy. A place where constitutional order meant something. A nation headed by a dignified and upright public servant, even with his elderly years and growing weakness.

Currently, in late October 2025, countless Americans scarcely know the nation we inhabit. Persons alleged as undocumented migrants are rounded up and pushed into vehicles, at times blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the White House – is undergoing demolition for an obscene ballroom. The president is harassing his adversaries or perceived antagonists and requesting federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are being sent into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has – in effect – liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends what could amount to almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are handled as members of the royal family.

“The United States, just months before its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the brink toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Finally, swifter than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. It is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, we know that the leader was legitimately chosen. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and following the cautions that came with the awareness of the conservative plan – even after the president personally declared plainly he planned to act as an autocrat just on day one – sufficient voters chose him rather than Kamala Harris.

While alarming as the current reality is, it’s even scarier to recognize that we are just three-quarters of a year under this leadership. How will an additional three years of this decline leave us? And if that timeframe turns into something even longer, because there is no one to limit this president from opting that another term is essential, maybe for defense purposes?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There are legislative votes the coming year that could bring a different balance of power, if Democrats recapture one or both houses of Congress. There are government representatives who are trying to exert certain responsibility, for example Democratic congressmen currently starting a probe concerning the try to fund seizure from legal authorities.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could begin the path to recovery just as the prior selection placed us on this regrettable path.

We see countless citizens marching in the streets across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the US is awakening”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or amid the sixties activism or during the seventies crisis.

During those times, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

Reich says he knows the signs of that revival and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, multi-faction opposition regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united defiance by media to sign military mandates they report only what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays inactive before specific greed turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so offensive of the common good, some brutality so noisy, that the giant has no choice but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

In the meantime, the major inquiries endure: is the US able to ever recover? Is it possible to restore its status globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the 250-year-old experiment functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts tells me that the second option is true; that everything could be finished. My positive feelings, however, convinces me that we need to strive, through all methods available.

Personally, as a media critic, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more fully, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For others, it might involve participating in congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to protect voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we were in an alternate reality. In the future? Or three years from now? The fact is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to strive to persevere.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have with students with new media professionals, that are simultaneously idealistic and realistic, {always