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In late October 2024, the situation was entirely different. Prior to the American presidential vote, considerate residents could recognize the nation's significant faults – its inequities and imbalance – yet they continued to see it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order carried weight. A state guided by a dignified and decent official, even with his elderly years and growing weakness.

These days, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans hardly identify the nation we reside in. People alleged as undocumented migrants are detained and forced into vehicles, at times denied due process. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish event space. Donald Trump is targeting his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding the justice department hand over a huge total of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are deployed across metropolitan centers with deceptive justifications. The military command, renamed the Defense Ministry, has practically freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of what could amount to close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, media outlets are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are treated like aristocracy.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the limit into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” an American historian, commented in August. “In the end, faster than I imagined possible, it did happen in this country.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. It is challenging to understand – and painful to realize – how deeply lost we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

However, it is known that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his highly troubling first term and following the warnings linked to the knowledge of the conservative plan – even after the president personally stated openly he intended to act as an autocrat just on day one – enough Americans chose him rather than Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the present situation is, it’s even scarier to understand that we have only been several months into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this decline find us? And suppose that period transforms into something even longer, because there is nobody to restrain this president from determining that a third term is necessary, possibly for security concerns?

Certainly, all is not lost. There are legislative votes the coming year which might establish an alternate balance of power, if Democrats recapture the Senate or House of Congress. There exist elected officials who are trying to exert a degree of oversight, for example representatives currently launching an investigation into the attempted fund seizure from the justice department.

And a leadership election in 2028 could start our journey to healing exactly as the previous vote placed us on this unfortunate course.

There exist millions of Americans demonstrating in the streets of their cities, as they did recently in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the slumbering force of America is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or throughout the sixties activism or throughout the seventies crisis.

In those instances, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

Reich says he understands the indicators of that resurgence and sees it happening at present. For proof, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, bipartisan pushback regarding a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to sign government requirements they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force consistently stays dormant until some venality becomes so noxious, some action so offensive of the common good, some brutality so noisy, that the giant is forced other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may turn out correct.

In the meantime, the big questions endure: can America regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position globally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the final scenario is true; that all may indeed be finished. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we need to strive, through all methods available.

Personally, as a media critic, that’s about urging journalists to live up, more thoroughly, to their duty of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it may be participating in election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to defend electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a very different place. A year from now? Or in several years? The truth is, we are uncertain. The only option is to attempt to persevere.

What Offers Me Hope Now

The contact I have with students with young journalists, who are both hopeful and practical, {always