The Tragic Change a Single Year Has Caused in the United States

One year ago, the landscape was entirely different. Ahead of the US presidential election, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge America's significant faults – its injustices and imbalance – yet they could still see it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order meant something. A nation guided by a respectable and decent official, notwithstanding his advanced age and growing weakness.

These days, in late October 2025, many of us barely recognize the nation we inhabit. People suspected of being undocumented migrants are rounded up and forced into transport, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the White House – is being destroyed for an obscene event space. Donald Trump is harassing his adversaries or alleged foes and demanding federal prosecutors transfer a huge total of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are deployed to US urban areas on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has – in effect – freed itself of regular press examination as it spends what could amount to almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Universities, law firms, media outlets are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like aristocracy.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the limit into autocracy and fascism,” a noted author, commented recently. “In the end, more quickly than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Yet, it is known that the president was duly elected. Despite his highly troubling previous administration and following the warnings linked to the understanding of the conservative plan – even after the leader directly stated openly he would rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens chose him instead of the other candidate.

Frightening as the present situation are, it's more daunting to realize that we have only been several months under this leadership. How will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And if the three years becomes a more extended duration, as there is no one to limit this president from opting that additional tenure is essential, possibly for security concerns?

Certainly, all is not lost. There are legislative votes next year which might bring a different balance of power, in case Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. We have public servants who are striving to impose certain responsibility, like representatives currently starting a probe regarding the effort to money grab from legal authorities.

And a presidential election three years from now could begin us down the road to healing just as last year’s election put us on this unfortunate course.

We see countless citizens protesting in urban areas of their cities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, just as it did post-McCarthyism during the fifties or amid the Vietnam war protests or in the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he recognizes the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. For proof, he points to the recent massive protests, the extensive, multi-faction opposition to a television host's removal and the largely united rejection by reporters to sign government requirements they solely cover authorized information.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays dormant till some venality becomes so noxious, an specific act so disrespectful of the common good, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may be validated.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: will the nation regain its footing? Can it retrieve its position globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts suggests that the second option is correct; that everything might be finished. My optimistic spirit, however, tells me that we must try, in whatever ways possible.

In my case, working in journalism analysis, that involves urging journalists to live up, more thoroughly, to their mission of holding power to account. For some people, it may be working on election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to defend voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we were in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we don’t know. Our sole course is to strive to continue fighting.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The contact I have during teaching with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always