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In late October 2024, the landscape was entirely different. Before the US presidential election, considerate Americans could admit the nation's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – but they continued to perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A land where legal governance held significance. A state headed by a dignified and ethical official, despite his advanced age and increasing frailty.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans hardly identify the country we reside in. Individuals alleged as undocumented migrants are collected and forced into transport, at times refused legal rights. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque event space. The president is targeting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and insisting legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas on false pretexts. The military command, relabeled the Department of War, has practically rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of potentially totaling nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Institutions, law firms, news companies are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are handled as aristocracy.

“America, just months before its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” a noted author, stated in August. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen in this country.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we have become, and how quickly it has happened.

Nevertheless, it is known that the president was properly voted in. Despite his highly troubling previous administration and even after the cautions that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following Trump himself declared plainly he would act as an autocrat solely at the start – sufficient voters chose him rather than his Democratic opponent.

While alarming as the current reality is, it’s even scarier to realize that we have only been nine months under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this decline find us? And if the three years turns into an prolonged era, because there is no one to limit this leader from determining that additional tenure is required, possibly for national security reasons?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There are midterm elections the coming year that could establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats retake one or both houses of parliament. There exist elected officials who are striving to impose some accountability, for example representatives who are initiating an inquiry into the attempted cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a leadership election in the next cycle could start our journey to healing exactly as the previous vote placed us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are numerous residents marching in the streets of their cities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of America is awakening”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in that decade or amid the Vietnam war protests or during the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he knows the signs of that resurgence and notices it unfolding now. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the widespread, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united rejection by reporters to agree to the defense department’s demands they report only what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists asleep till some venality grows too toxic, a particular deed so offensive toward public welfare, certain violence so disruptive, that it is compelled except to rise.”

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

In the meantime, the crucial issues endure: can America return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status in the world and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be finished. My optimistic spirit, though, convinces me that we need to strive, in whatever ways available.

For me, as a media critic, that’s about pushing media professionals to adhere, more fully, to their duty of holding power to account. For some people, it could mean engaging with election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to attempt to persevere.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I have with students with young journalists, who are both visionary and practical, {always