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Twelve months back, the environment was utterly separate. Ahead of the American presidential vote, considerate Americans could recognize the country's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – however they still could perceive it as the United States. A democracy. A place where the rule of law meant something. A country headed by a respectable and ethical official, despite his advanced age and declining health.

Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the land we inhabit. Individuals believed to be illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into transport, at times refused legal rights. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque ballroom. The leader is targeting his opponents or supposed enemies and insisting legal authorities transfer a huge total of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The Pentagon, rebranded the Department of War, has – in effect – liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends what could amount to close to a trillion USD from citizen taxes. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and billionaires are regarded as aristocracy.

“The US, just months before its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the limit into autocracy and extremism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “In the end, faster than I thought feasible, it did happen in America.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it's hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how deeply lost our nation is, and how quickly it unfolded.

Yet, we know that the leader was duly elected. Despite his highly troubling first term and despite the warnings associated with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite Trump himself stated openly he planned to act as an autocrat only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him rather than Kamala Harris.

While alarming as today's circumstances may be, it's more frightening to recognize that we have only been nine months into this presidential term. What will three more years of this decline find us? And if that period transforms into a more extended duration, as there is not anyone to limit this president from opting that additional tenure is essential, possibly for national security reasons?

Granted, all is not lost. There will be midterm elections the coming year which might create a new political equilibrium, if Democrats recapture one or both houses of parliament. There exist elected officials who are striving to exert some accountability, like representatives who are launching an investigation regarding the effort to fund seizure from the justice department.

And a leadership election three years from now could start us down the road to healing exactly as last year’s election put us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see millions of Americans protesting in public spaces of their cities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or throughout anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

Reich says he understands the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. For proof, he points to the widespread marches, the broad, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal defiance by media to agree to the defense department’s demands they solely cover approved content.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive till specific greed turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so disrespectful of the common good, specific cruelty so disruptive, that it is forced but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may be validated.

At the same time, the crucial issues remain: can America return to normalcy? Is it possible to restore its standing internationally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind tells me that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be gone. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we must try, through all methods available.

For me, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to commit, more fully, to their mission of holding power to account. For some people, it could mean working on political races, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to defend electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a very different place. A year from now? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to continue fighting.

What Provides Me Hope Now

The engagement I have with students with aspiring reporters, who are both hopeful and practical, {always