A Heartbreaking Change Just One Year Has Made in America

One year ago, the landscape was utterly distinct. Prior to the US presidential election, thoughtful residents could acknowledge America's significant faults – its unfairness and imbalance – but they continued to perceive it as the United States. A free society. A country where the rule of law meant something. A country led by a dignified and decent public servant, even with his advanced age and increasing frailty.

These days, in late October 2025, many of us scarcely know the country we inhabit. Persons believed to be undocumented migrants are detained and pushed into vehicles, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish event space. The president is persecuting his adversaries or supposed enemies and insisting legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, rebranded the War Department, has effectively liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, attorney offices, media outlets are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and rich magnates are regarded as members of the royal family.

“The US, just months before its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the brink into authoritarianism and extremism,” an American historian, commented this past summer. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it did happen in America.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. It is hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – just how far gone our nation is, and the speed at which it occurred.

However, we know that Trump was legitimately chosen. Despite his highly troubling first term and following the cautions that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – following the leader directly said publicly he would rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens elected him rather than his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as today's circumstances may be, it’s even scarier to realize that we are just three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. What will another 36 months of this decline find us? And suppose that period turns into a more extended duration, since there is not anyone to stop this leader from opting that a third term is necessary, possibly for defense purposes?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There are midterm elections in 2026 that could establish an alternate governmental control, if Democrats retake one or both houses of parliament. There are elected officials who are striving to exert a degree of oversight, for example representatives that are launching an investigation into the attempted money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in the next cycle could start our journey toward restoration precisely as last year’s election put us on this regrettable path.

There are numerous residents marching in public spaces across municipalities, similar to recent recently at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the slumbering force of the US is stirring”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or during anti-war demonstrations or throughout the seventies crisis.

In those instances, the listing ship eventually was righted.

He claims he understands the signals of that revival and sees it happening currently. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance to a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to accept government requirements they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists inactive until certain corruption turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so disrespectful toward public welfare, specific cruelty so loud, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”

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

Meanwhile, the big questions endure: can America regain its footing? Can it retrieve its position in the world and its adherence to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My negative thoughts tells me that the second option is true; that everything might be lost. My hopeful heart, however, advises me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that involves urging journalists to adhere, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it may be engaging with political races, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to protect ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a very different place. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to attempt to not give up.

What Provides Me Hope Now

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