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One year ago, the landscape was entirely distinct. Ahead of the national election, reflective Americans could recognize the nation's significant faults – its injustices and inequality – however they still could perceive it as America. A free society. A place where the rule of law held significance. A nation headed by a respectable and upright public servant, even with his older age and increasing frailty.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens barely recognize the nation we inhabit. Individuals believed to be unauthorized foreigners are collected and shoved into vehicles, occasionally denied due process. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque dance hall. The president is targeting his political rivals or supposed enemies and requesting legal authorities hand over a huge total of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched to US urban areas on false pretexts. The military command, relabeled the War Department, has effectively rid itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of what could amount to close to a trillion USD from citizen taxes. Universities, attorney offices, media outlets are submitting from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are regarded as aristocracy.

“The United States, just months before its 250^th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the brink toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, commented recently. “In the end, swifter than I thought feasible, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. It is hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – how severely declined we are, and the speed at which it occurred.

Yet, we understand that the leader was duly elected. Even after his highly troubling previous administration and even after the warnings that came with the awareness of the rightwing blueprint – following the leader directly stated openly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans chose him instead of the other candidate.

As terrifying as the current reality is, it's more daunting to realize that we have only been several months into this presidential term. Where will another 36 months of this deterioration leave us? And suppose the three years transforms into a more extended duration, because there is nobody to restrain this ruler from determining that a third term is required, possibly for national security reasons?

Certainly, all is not lost. We will have congressional elections in 2026 that may create a new balance of power, if Democrats regain one or both houses of the legislature. We have public servants who are striving to exert some accountability, such as lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election three years from now could start the path to healing just as the prior selection set us on this unfortunate course.

There exist numerous residents marching in public spaces across municipalities, as they did recently during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the slumbering force of America is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare in that decade or throughout anti-war demonstrations or in the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and notices it unfolding now. As evidence, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, cross-party resistance against a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they only publish approved content.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays asleep until some venality turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so disrespectful toward public welfare, some brutality so disruptive, that it is forced except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may 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 in the world and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My cynical mind tells me that the second option is accurate; that everything might be gone. My optimistic spirit, however, convinces me that we have to attempt, through all methods possible.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that’s about urging journalists to commit, more completely, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to safeguard voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The truth is, we cannot predict. All we can do is try to not give up.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I experience during teaching with new media professionals, who are both idealistic and practical, {always