The Tragic Shift Only 12 Months Has Made in the US
One year ago, the landscape was completely different. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective citizens could recognize the country's significant faults – its unfairness and inequality – yet they still could see it as America. A democracy. A land where the rule of law held significance. A nation headed by a respectable and ethical official, despite his older age and growing weakness.
Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens hardly identify the land we inhabit. Persons believed to be illegal immigrants are rounded up and pushed into transport, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being torn down to build a lavish event space. Donald Trump is persecuting his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding federal prosecutors transfer an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, renamed the War Department, has effectively freed itself of regular press examination while it uses what could amount to close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, law firms, news companies are buckling from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are regarded as nobility.
“The US, just months before its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” an American historian, wrote recently. “Finally, faster than I thought feasible, it transpired here.”
Each day begins with fresh terrors. It is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.
Nevertheless, we understand that the leader was properly voted in. Following his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the warnings linked to the understanding of the conservative plan – following the president personally said publicly he intended to be a dictator just on day one – a majority of citizens selected him instead of Kamala Harris.
Frightening as the current reality may be, it's more daunting to understand that we have only been nine months into this presidential term. What will three more years of this deterioration position us? And if that period becomes something even longer, as there is not anyone to limit this president from deciding that a third term is required, possibly for security concerns?
Admittedly, there is still hope. There are midterm elections in 2026 that may bring a different governmental control, should Democrats regain the Senate or House of parliament. There are public servants who are attempting to apply some accountability, such as Democratic congressmen that are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab by federal prosecutors.
And a leadership election in the next cycle could initiate our journey to recovery precisely as last year’s election put us on this regrettable path.
There exist numerous residents protesting in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent in the past days during anti-authority protests.
Robert Reich, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, similar to past following the Red Scare in that decade or during the Vietnam war protests or throughout the seventies crisis.
In those instances, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.
He claims he knows the indicators of that resurgence and observes it occurring at present. For proof, he points to the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to sign government requirements they only publish authorized information.
“The sleeping giant perpetually exists asleep till certain corruption becomes so noxious, an specific act so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so loud, that he has no choice other than to stir.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll be validated.
Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position internationally and its devotion to legal principles?
Or must we acknowledge that the 250-year-old experiment functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My pessimistic brain suggests that the final scenario is correct; that everything could be finished. My optimistic spirit, however, tells me that we have to attempt, through all methods we can.
For me, as an observer of the press, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more fully, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve engaging with election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to protect electoral access.
Not even one year prior, we existed in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The fact is, we don’t know. All we can do is try to not give up.
What Provides Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I encounter with students with young journalists, that are simultaneously idealistic and realistic, {always
