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One year ago, the environment was utterly distinct. Before the national election, thoughtful Americans could recognize the country's deep flaws – its injustices and inequality – however they could still perceive it as the US. A free society. A land where constitutional order carried weight. A nation headed by a honorable and ethical public servant, despite his elderly years and declining health.

These days, as October 2025 ends, many of us barely recognize the nation we reside in. Persons suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are detained and shoved into vehicles, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being torn down for an obscene ballroom. The president is targeting his adversaries or alleged foes and demanding the justice department hand over an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are deployed into American cities under fabricated reasons. The military command, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, news companies are submitting due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like members of the royal family.

“The US, just months before its 250^th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the limit toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated recently. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it occurred in this country.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – how severely declined we have become, and how quickly it unfolded.

However, it is known that the president was duly elected. Following his profoundly alarming initial presidency and despite the warnings linked to the knowledge of the conservative plan – following Trump himself stated openly he intended to be a dictator just on day one – enough Americans elected him over Kamala Harris.

While alarming as today's circumstances is, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just several months into this administration. How will three more years of this deterioration find us? And suppose that timeframe becomes a more extended duration, since there is no one to stop this president from deciding that another term is required, perhaps for national security reasons?

Granted, all is not lost. There are congressional elections in 2026 which might bring a different political equilibrium, in case Democrats recapture one or both houses of the legislature. There are elected officials who are trying to apply some accountability, such as Democratic congressmen who are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election three years from now could initiate our journey toward restoration just as last year’s election put us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see numerous residents protesting in urban areas throughout communities, like they performed last weekend during anti-authority protests.

A former official, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is rising”, similar to past post-McCarthyism during the fifties or during the Vietnam war protests or during the seventies crisis.

In those instances, the listing ship eventually was righted.

Reich says he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and notices it unfolding now. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a television host's removal and the largely united defiance by media to agree to government requirements they report only approved content.

“The sleeping giant always remains inactive before certain corruption becomes so noxious, an specific act so disrespectful of the common good, certain violence so loud, that the giant is compelled except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues persist: will the nation regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its status globally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind tells me that the second option is accurate; that everything could be gone. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we need to strive, by any means we can.

In my case, working in journalism analysis, that means encouraging reporters to adhere, more fully, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For some people, it could mean working on congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to safeguard electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we don’t know. Our sole course is try to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have with students with aspiring reporters, who are equally idealistic and grounded, {always