The Devastating Shift a Single Year Has Made in the US
Twelve months back, the environment was entirely separate. Ahead of the US presidential election, thoughtful Americans could recognize America's significant faults – its unfairness and disparity – however they still could perceive it as the United States. A free society. A country where the rule of law meant something. A state led by a dignified and ethical leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and growing weakness.
Currently, in late October 2025, many of us hardly identify the land we live in. Persons alleged as illegal immigrants are detained and forced into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque ballroom. Donald Trump is harassing his adversaries or supposed enemies and demanding legal authorities surrender a massive sum of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of what could amount to almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.
“The United States, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge into autocracy and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, commented recently. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it did happen here.”
Each day begins to new horrors. It is challenging to understand – and painful to realize – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.
Nevertheless, it is known that Trump was properly voted in. Following his profoundly alarming previous administration and following the cautions linked to the knowledge of Project 2025 – following the leader directly declared plainly he would rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters chose him instead of the other candidate.
As terrifying as today's circumstances is, it's more frightening to recognize that we’re only nine months under this leadership. How will an additional three years of this deterioration leave us? And suppose that period turns into something even longer, because there is no one to limit this ruler from determining that another term is essential, perhaps for defense purposes?
Granted, there is still hope. There are midterm elections the coming year that may bring a different political equilibrium, should Democrats retake one or both houses of Congress. There exist government representatives who are attempting to exert some accountability, like representatives that are initiating an inquiry into the attempted cash appropriation from the justice department.
And a leadership election three years from now could start us down the road toward restoration precisely as the prior selection placed us on this unfortunate course.
We see numerous residents protesting in urban areas of their cities, as they did in the past days in the No Kings rallies.
Robert Reich, commented this week that “the slumbering force of America is rising”, just as it did post-McCarthyism in that decade or throughout the sixties activism or in the Watergate scandal.
On those occasions, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.
He claims he understands the signals of that awakening and notices it unfolding now. As support, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, bipartisan pushback regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal refusal by journalists to agree to military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.
“The dormant force always remains dormant before some venality grows too toxic, some action so contemptuous of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.
Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its status internationally and its adherence to constitutional order?
Or should we recognize that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My negative thoughts suggests that the second option is correct; that everything could be finished. My positive feelings, however, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways available.
Personally, working in journalism analysis, that means urging journalists to live up, more fully, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For others, it may be participating in election efforts, or coordinating protests, or developing approaches to safeguard voting rights.
Not even one year prior, we existed in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The truth is, we are uncertain. All we can do is to attempt to not give up.
What Offers Me Optimism Currently
The interaction I encounter with students with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always
