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One year ago, the environment was utterly distinct. Before the national election, reflective citizens could recognize the country's significant faults – its inequities and disparity – however they could still see it as the US. A democracy. A country where the rule of law carried weight. A state led by a honorable and ethical leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and growing weakness.

These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans barely recognize the land we inhabit. Individuals alleged as undocumented migrants are detained and pushed into transport, at times denied due process. The East Wing of the White House – is being torn down to build a lavish event space. The leader is targeting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and requesting legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of public funds. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of routine media oversight as it spends what could amount to close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Universities, legal practices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like members of the royal family.

“The United States, shortly prior to its 250^th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, commented recently. “Finally, more quickly than I imagined possible, it occurred here.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. It is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost our nation is, and the speed at which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that the leader was legitimately chosen. Despite his profoundly alarming first term and following the alerts that came with the knowledge of the conservative plan – despite the president personally stated openly he planned to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – sufficient voters elected him instead of Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as today's circumstances are, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just nine months under this leadership. What will three more years of this deterioration find us? And if that period turns into something even longer, since there is not anyone to stop this ruler from determining that additional tenure is necessary, perhaps for security concerns?

Certainly, all is not lost. There will be congressional elections the coming year that could bring a different governmental control, in case Democrats recapture one or both houses of the legislature. There exist public servants who are trying to apply a degree of oversight, like representatives currently launching an investigation regarding the effort to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in 2028 could start the path toward restoration exactly as the previous vote placed us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see millions of Americans demonstrating in public spaces throughout communities, similar to recent in the past days in the No Kings rallies.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is awakening”, just as it did following the Red Scare during the fifties or during the sixties activism or in the seventies crisis.

On those occasions, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.

Reich says he knows the signs of that resurgence and sees it happening at present. For proof, he cites the recent massive protests, the broad, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to agree to military mandates they report only what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force always remains dormant before certain corruption turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so offensive toward public welfare, certain violence so disruptive, that the giant is forced but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll be validated.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries remain: is the US able to return to normalcy? Is it possible to restore its position globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the final scenario is accurate; that everything might be lost. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we need to strive, through all methods we can.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to adhere, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For others, it might involve working on election efforts, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to defend voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or three years from now? The fact is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What Provides Me Hope Now

The interaction I encounter with students with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and practical, {always