The Devastating Change a Single Year Has Made in the US
One year ago, the situation was completely distinct. Before the US presidential election, considerate residents could admit America's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – yet they could still see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order meant something. A country guided by a honorable and decent leader, even with his older age and declining health.
Currently, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans barely recognize the land we inhabit. People alleged as undocumented migrants are rounded up and forced into vans, at times denied due process. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for a grotesque ballroom. The president is targeting his adversaries or alleged foes and demanding legal authorities transfer a huge total of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are being sent to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, relabeled the War Department, has effectively liberated itself of routine media oversight while it uses potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are treated like aristocracy.
“America, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” Garrett Graff, stated in August. “Finally, faster than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”
One awakes with fresh terrors. And it's challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we are, and how quickly it occurred.
Nevertheless, we understand that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his profoundly alarming previous administration and despite the warnings associated with the understanding of Project 2025 – despite Trump himself said publicly he intended to be a dictator just on day one – sufficient voters elected him over his Democratic opponent.
Frightening as the current reality may be, it's more frightening to realize that we have only been three-quarters of a year under this leadership. What will another 36 months of this deterioration leave us? And suppose the three years transforms into a more extended duration, as there is no one to limit this leader from opting that a third term is necessary, possibly for defense purposes?
Admittedly, there is still hope. There are congressional elections in 2026 that may create a new political equilibrium, should Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. We have government representatives who are trying to apply some accountability, like lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.
And a leadership election three years from now could initiate the path to healing just as the prior selection put us on this unfortunate course.
There exist countless citizens marching in urban areas of their cities, as they did in the past days during anti-authority protests.
A former official, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or throughout the sixties activism or throughout the seventies crisis.
On those occasions, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.
The author states he recognizes the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding now. As evidence, he points to the recent massive protests, the widespread, bipartisan pushback to a television host's removal and the largely united rejection by reporters to sign military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.
“The slumbering entity always remains dormant till certain corruption grows too toxic, a particular deed so offensive of societal benefit, some brutality so loud, that he is forced except to rise.”
It's a positive outlook, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will turn out correct.
At the same time, the crucial issues persist: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status globally and its adherence to the rule of law?
Or do we need to admit that the historical project worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My negative thoughts suggests that the final scenario is correct; that everything could be gone. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we need to strive, through all methods available.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that involves urging journalists to live up, more thoroughly, to their purpose of holding power to account. For some people, it may be working on political races, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to protect voting rights.
Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. A year from now? Or three years from now? The fact is, we are uncertain. All we can do is to strive to continue fighting.
What Provides Me Hope Now
The engagement I experience during teaching with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always
