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One year ago, the environment was utterly different. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective citizens could recognize the country's deep flaws – its inequities and inequality – yet they could still perceive it as the United States. A democracy. A country where the rule of law carried weight. A state headed by a dignified and ethical official, despite his elderly years and growing weakness.

Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens hardly identify the country we live in. Individuals believed to be undocumented migrants are collected and pushed into transport, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for a grotesque event space. The leader is harassing his political rivals or perceived antagonists and insisting legal authorities hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, renamed the Department of War, has effectively liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends potentially totaling close to a trillion USD from citizen taxes. Institutions, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are regarded as members of the royal family.

“America, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and extremism,” a noted author, stated this past summer. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it occurred in America.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we are, and how quickly it unfolded.

However, it is known that the president was duly elected. Even after his highly troubling previous administration and following the cautions that came with the awareness of Project 2025 – following Trump himself stated openly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans elected him rather than Kamala Harris.

While alarming as today's circumstances are, it's more frightening to understand that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. Where will three more years of this downfall position us? And what if that timeframe turns into something even longer, since there is nobody to limit this ruler from opting that another term is necessary, possibly for security concerns?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There are legislative votes the coming year which might create a new political equilibrium, should Democrats retake the Senate or House of Congress. There are public servants who are trying to apply some accountability, such as Democratic congressmen who are 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 precisely as last year’s election set us on this regrettable path.

There are millions of Americans marching in the streets throughout communities, as they did recently at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in that decade or throughout the sixties activism or during the seventies crisis.

In those instances, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

Reich says he knows the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, multi-faction opposition to a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to sign government requirements they only publish authorized information.

“The dormant force perpetually exists asleep till certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so disrespectful of the common good, specific cruelty so noisy, that it is compelled other than to stir.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll be validated.

At the same time, the crucial issues endure: will the nation ever recover? Can it reclaim its standing in the world and its devotion to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind suggests that the latter is true; that everything could be lost. My positive feelings, however, convinces me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.

Personally, as a media critic, that involves urging journalists to adhere, more fully, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve engaging with congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The fact is, we are uncertain. All we can do is try to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

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