A Tragic Shift Only 12 Months Has Made in the United States
Twelve months back, the situation was utterly separate. Prior to the national election, reflective Americans could acknowledge the country's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – but they continued to perceive it as the US. A free society. A land where the rule of law meant something. A country led by a honorable and decent official, despite his advanced age and declining health.
Currently, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens hardly identify the nation we live in. Individuals alleged as undocumented migrants are detained and forced into transport, occasionally refused legal rights. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being torn down to build a lavish dance hall. Donald Trump is harassing his opponents or alleged foes and requesting the justice department surrender an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, renamed the Defense Ministry, has practically rid itself of routine media oversight as it spends potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are buckling from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are regarded as nobility.
“The United States, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the limit toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” an American historian, commented recently. “Finally, faster than I thought feasible, it occurred in America.”
Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and the speed at which it occurred.
However, we know that Trump was legitimately chosen. Even after his highly troubling previous administration and following the cautions that came with the awareness of the conservative plan – following the president personally stated openly he planned to act as an autocrat solely at the start – a majority of citizens selected him rather than his Democratic opponent.
As terrifying as the current reality is, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just nine months into this administration. Where will another 36 months of this downfall leave us? And if that period turns into something even longer, because there is not anyone to limit this leader from opting that a third term is required, perhaps for national security reasons?
Granted, all is not lost. We will have legislative votes in 2026 that may establish an alternate balance of power, if Democrats regain one or both houses of Congress. There exist elected officials who are attempting to apply a degree of oversight, like Democratic congressmen that are launching an investigation into the attempted fund seizure by federal prosecutors.
And a presidential election in the next cycle could initiate the path to healing exactly as last year’s election placed us on this regrettable path.
There exist millions of Americans marching in urban areas across municipalities, as they did recently at democracy demonstrations.
A former official, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, just as it did following the Red Scare in the 1950s or during the sixties activism or during the Watergate scandal.
In those instances, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.
He claims he recognizes the signals of that resurgence and sees it happening currently. As support, he references the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, cross-party resistance to a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they solely cover authorized information.
“The slumbering entity consistently stays asleep till some venality turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous of the common good, specific cruelty so loud, that it is compelled but to awaken.”
It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll be validated.
At the same time, the big questions persist: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its position internationally and its adherence to constitutional order?
Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My cynical mind indicates that the second option is correct; that everything might be gone. My optimistic spirit, though, convinces me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For others, it could mean engaging with political races, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to defend ballot privileges.
Less than a year ago, we existed in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The reality is, we don’t know. All we can do is to attempt to persevere.
What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I encounter with students with aspiring reporters, who are equally visionary and grounded, {always
