🔗 Share this article

One year ago, the environment was utterly separate. Before the American presidential vote, considerate Americans could recognize the country's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – however they could still identify it as the US. A free society. A country where the rule of law held significance. A state guided by a dignified and ethical official, notwithstanding his elderly years and increasing frailty.

These days, as October 2025 ends, many of us scarcely know the country we inhabit. Individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into transport, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The president is persecuting his political rivals or supposed enemies and demanding legal authorities hand over an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, renamed the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination as it spends possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Colleges, legal practices, news companies are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and rich magnates are handled as aristocracy.

“The US, just months before its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the limit toward dictatorship and fascism,” a noted author, stated recently. “Ultimately, faster than I imagined possible, it did happen here.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – just how far gone our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, we know that the president was legitimately chosen. Following his profoundly alarming first term and following the cautions associated with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – even after Trump himself said publicly he would be a dictator just on day one – enough Americans chose him instead of his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as the present situation may be, it's more daunting to realize that we are just three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. Where will three more years of this downfall find us? And suppose that timeframe turns into something even longer, since there is no one to restrain this president from determining that a third term is necessary, perhaps for national security reasons?

Granted, there is still hope. There are legislative votes next year which might establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. There exist public servants who are attempting to impose certain responsibility, such as Democratic congressmen that are starting a probe concerning the try to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote in 2028 could start the path to healing just as the prior selection put us on this unfortunate course.

There are countless citizens demonstrating in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent recently in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of America is stirring”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or amid anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

The author states he recognizes the signs of that awakening and sees it happening currently. As support, he points to the recent massive protests, the extensive, cross-party resistance against a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to agree to the defense department’s demands they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force consistently stays inactive until some venality grows too toxic, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that the giant has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may turn out correct.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its position internationally and its adherence to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be finished. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, convinces me that we must try, through all methods available.

For me, as a media critic, that’s about urging journalists to commit, more fully, to their mission of holding power to account. For different individuals, it might involve working on election efforts, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to defend ballot privileges.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a very different place. A year from now? Or in several years? The truth is, we don’t know. All we can do is to strive to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The contact I encounter during teaching with young journalists, who are equally visionary and grounded, {always