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Twelve months back, the situation was utterly different. Ahead of the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and imbalance – yet they could still perceive it as America. A democracy. A country where constitutional order held significance. A country guided by a respectable and ethical leader, even with his advanced age and increasing frailty.

These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the nation we live in. People believed to be illegal immigrants are detained and shoved into vehicles, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. The president is harassing his adversaries or supposed enemies and insisting federal prosecutors transfer an enormous amount of public funds. Uniformed troops are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, relabeled the Department of War, has – in effect – freed itself of regular press examination as it spends what could amount to almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, legal practices, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are regarded as nobility.

“The US, shortly prior to its 250^th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” an American historian, stated in August. “In the end, swifter than I believed likely, it occurred in this country.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, it is known that the leader was duly elected. Following his profoundly alarming first term and following the warnings that came with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – following the leader directly stated openly he planned to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens elected him over the other candidate.

Frightening as the current reality may be, it's more daunting to recognize that we’re only several months into this administration. How will an additional three years of this deterioration leave us? And if that timeframe transforms into something even longer, since there is nobody to restrain this president from determining that additional tenure is required, possibly for defense purposes?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There will be congressional elections the coming year which might create a new political equilibrium, in case Democrats retake one or both houses of parliament. There are elected officials who are attempting to exert a degree of oversight, like representatives who are launching an investigation concerning the try to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in the next cycle could initiate the path to healing precisely as last year’s election put us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are countless citizens marching in public spaces across municipalities, as they did in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the nation is stirring”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or amid the Vietnam war protests or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

The author states he understands the signs of that awakening and sees it happening at present. As support, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, cross-party resistance against a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to agree to government requirements they only publish approved content.

“The dormant force always remains inactive before specific greed becomes so noxious, a particular deed so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that it is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

In the meantime, the big questions endure: will the nation return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its status globally and its commitment to constitutional order?

Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My negative thoughts suggests that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be lost. My hopeful heart, though, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways available.

In my case, working in journalism analysis, that’s about urging journalists to adhere, more completely, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it might involve working on political races, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to defend electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a very different place. In the future? Or after another term? The fact is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to attempt to not give up.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I encounter in the classroom with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and grounded, {always