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Twelve months back, the situation was entirely different. Prior to the US presidential election, considerate Americans could acknowledge the nation's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – however they still could see it as the United States. A democracy. A place where the rule of law held significance. A state led by a respectable and ethical public servant, notwithstanding his older age and growing weakness.

These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans hardly identify the country we live in. People suspected of being undocumented migrants are collected and forced into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being torn down to build a lavish ballroom. The president is targeting his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding federal prosecutors hand over a huge total of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are being sent across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The military command, renamed the Department of War, has practically freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the limit toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated in August. “Ultimately, faster than I thought feasible, it occurred in America.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. It is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that Trump was properly voted in. Following his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the cautions associated with the awareness of the rightwing blueprint – following the president personally stated openly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – a majority of citizens chose him instead of the other candidate.

Frightening as the current reality are, it's more frightening to realize that we’re only nine months under this leadership. How will three more years of this downfall find us? And if that period turns into a more extended duration, as there is not anyone to stop this leader from opting that another term is essential, maybe for defense purposes?

Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There are congressional elections in 2026 that may establish an alternate governmental control, if Democrats recapture the Senate or House of Congress. There exist government representatives who are trying to apply some accountability, like lawmakers currently launching an investigation regarding the effort to cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a leadership election in the next cycle could initiate the path to recovery just as last year’s election set us on this disappointing trajectory.

There exist countless citizens marching in public spaces of their cities, as they did last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is rising”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or throughout the sixties activism or in the seventies crisis.

In those instances, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

He claims he knows the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding at present. As support, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, multi-faction opposition against a broadcaster's firing and the largely united defiance by media to agree to government requirements they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force always remains dormant till some venality becomes so noxious, an specific act so disrespectful of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that he is compelled except to rise.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may prove to be right.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status globally and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment functioned for a period, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the second option is correct; that everything could be finished. My hopeful heart, nevertheless, convinces me that we must try, in whatever ways possible.

For me, as an observer of the press, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For some people, it may be engaging with congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The truth is, we cannot predict. All we can do is try to persevere.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The contact I experience in the classroom with young journalists, who are equally hopeful and practical, {always