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One year ago, the situation was completely separate. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could recognize America's significant faults – its inequities and disparity – yet they continued to identify it as the US. A democratic nation. A land where constitutional order carried weight. A state led by a honorable and decent official, notwithstanding his older age and growing weakness.

Nowadays, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the land we reside in. Individuals alleged as unauthorized foreigners are detained and pushed into transport, at times blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. The leader is harassing his opponents or supposed enemies and insisting federal prosecutors surrender an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, relabeled the Department of War, has practically freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn in public funds. Institutions, law firms, media outlets are submitting under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as members of the royal family.

“America, just months before its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, stated in August. “Finally, faster than I believed likely, it did happen in America.”

Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. It is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, we understand that Trump was legitimately chosen. Despite his deeply disturbing initial presidency and following the cautions associated with the knowledge of the conservative plan – following Trump himself said publicly he would act as an autocrat solely at the start – enough Americans chose him instead of Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the present situation may be, it’s even scarier to realize that we are just several months into this presidential term. How will another 36 months of this decline position us? And suppose that timeframe transforms into an prolonged era, because there is no one to limit this leader from deciding that a third term is essential, maybe for security concerns?

Certainly, not everything is hopeless. We will have legislative votes next year which might create a new political equilibrium, in case Democrats recapture the Senate or House of the legislature. There are elected officials who are attempting to impose a degree of oversight, such as representatives who are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in 2028 could begin our journey to healing just as last year’s election put us on this regrettable path.

There exist numerous residents marching in urban areas of their cities, as they did last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the US is stirring”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism during the fifties or amid the sixties activism or throughout the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the listing ship eventually was righted.

Reich says he knows the signals of that resurgence and notices it unfolding currently. As evidence, he references the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, cross-party resistance against a personality's dismissal and the largely united refusal by journalists to accept government requirements they only publish authorized information.

“The slumbering entity always remains inactive till certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so disrespectful toward public welfare, some brutality so noisy, that he has no choice except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

At the same time, the crucial issues persist: can America ever recover? Can it retrieve its status internationally and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the second option is true; that everything could be lost. My hopeful heart, though, convinces me that we need to strive, in whatever ways available.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that’s about encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their duty of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it could mean working on congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to protect electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or three years from now? The reality is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I encounter in the classroom with new media professionals, who are both visionary and practical, {always