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Twelve months back, the landscape was completely distinct. Before the American presidential vote, thoughtful citizens could acknowledge America's significant faults – its unfairness and imbalance – yet they still could see it as the US. A democracy. A place where constitutional order held significance. A state headed by a dignified and upright leader, notwithstanding his older age and increasing frailty.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, many of us hardly identify the country we inhabit. People alleged as undocumented migrants are rounded up and shoved into transport, at times refused legal rights. The left side of the White House – is being destroyed to build a lavish ballroom. The leader is targeting his adversaries or supposed enemies and demanding legal authorities surrender a huge total of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, relabeled the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of routine media oversight as it spends possibly reaching close to a trillion USD from citizen taxes. Universities, legal practices, journalism organizations are buckling under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are regarded as aristocracy.

“The United States, just months before its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, commented in August. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it's difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how severely declined our nation is, and the speed at which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that the leader was duly elected. Following his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the cautions linked to the understanding of Project 2025 – even after Trump himself said publicly he planned to be a dictator solely at the start – a majority of citizens chose him over his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as the current reality are, it's more frightening to realize that we are just several months into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this downfall find us? And if that period transforms into something even longer, because there is no one to restrain this ruler from opting that additional tenure is essential, maybe for national security reasons?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. There are midterm elections next year that could establish an alternate balance of power, in case Democrats retake the Senate or House of the legislature. There are government representatives who are trying to exert certain responsibility, like lawmakers currently launching an investigation into the attempted money grab from the justice department.

And a leadership election in the next cycle could start the path to recovery precisely as the previous vote put us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see countless citizens protesting in urban areas across municipalities, as they did recently during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism in that decade or amid anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he knows the indicators of that awakening and observes it occurring currently. As support, he points to the widespread marches, the widespread, bipartisan pushback against a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to accept government requirements they report only approved content.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists dormant until certain corruption grows too toxic, an specific act so contemptuous of societal benefit, some brutality so disruptive, that he is forced except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the big questions remain: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its standing in the world and its devotion to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My negative thoughts indicates that the latter is correct; that all may indeed be gone. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we need to strive, by any means possible.

For me, as a media critic, that means urging journalists to live up, more fully, to their mission of holding power to account. For others, it might involve participating in election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is try to not give up.

What Provides Me Hope Now

The engagement I have during teaching with new media professionals, who are both hopeful and realistic, {always