A Heartbreaking Change a Single Year Has Caused in the US
One year ago, the situation was entirely distinct. Prior to the national election, considerate Americans could admit America's deep flaws – its injustices and imbalance – however they continued to perceive it as the United States. A democracy. A country where legal governance held significance. A state headed by a dignified and upright public servant, despite his older age and declining health.
Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens hardly identify the nation we inhabit. People alleged as unauthorized foreigners are collected and forced into vehicles, at times denied due process. The eastern section of the White House – is being torn down for an obscene dance hall. Donald Trump is targeting his political rivals or alleged foes and requesting legal authorities transfer a massive sum of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The Pentagon, rebranded the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends possibly reaching close to a trillion USD in public funds. Universities, law firms, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are handled as members of the royal family.
“America, only a few months ahead of its 250th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the brink into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, wrote recently. “Finally, faster than I imagined possible, it occurred in America.”
Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it's difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – how deeply lost we are, and the speed at which it unfolded.
Yet, it is known that Trump was legitimately chosen. Even after his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the warnings that came with the awareness of the rightwing blueprint – following the leader directly stated openly he intended to act as an autocrat solely at the start – a majority of citizens elected him rather than the other candidate.
As terrifying as today's circumstances is, it's more frightening to understand that we are just several months into this presidential term. How will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And if the three years turns into a more extended duration, as there is nobody to stop this leader from deciding that additional tenure is essential, maybe for defense purposes?
Granted, not everything is hopeless. There will be legislative votes in 2026 that could establish an alternate governmental control, if Democrats recapture one or both houses of Congress. There exist public servants who are striving to exert certain responsibility, like representatives who are initiating an inquiry into the attempted cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.
And a leadership election in the next cycle could begin us down the road toward restoration precisely as last year’s election placed us on this regrettable path.
We see countless citizens protesting in public spaces throughout communities, similar to recent recently in the No Kings rallies.
An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of the US is rising”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or during the sixties activism or during the Nixon controversy.
On those occasions, the listing ship eventually was righted.
The author states he knows the signs of that resurgence and observes it occurring currently. As evidence, he cites the widespread marches, the widespread, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to accept government requirements they only publish approved content.
“The sleeping giant always remains dormant until specific greed grows too toxic, an specific act so contemptuous of societal benefit, some brutality so disruptive, that he is forced but to awaken.”
It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will prove to be right.
In the meantime, the major inquiries remain: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status in the world and its devotion to legal principles?
Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My pessimistic brain suggests that the second option is true; that everything might be finished. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, tells me that we need to strive, by any means possible.
For me, as an observer of the press, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more fully, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it might involve engaging with political races, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.
Less than a year ago, we were in a very different place. A year from now? Or after another term? The fact is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to strive to persevere.
What Provides Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I encounter with students with young journalists, who are equally hopeful and practical, {always
