A Devastating Transformation Only 12 Months Has Caused in the United States

One year ago, the environment was completely separate. Before the US presidential election, reflective citizens could admit the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and imbalance – yet they still could see it as America. A democratic nation. A land where constitutional order held significance. A country led by a respectable and ethical official, even with his elderly years and growing weakness.

These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans hardly identify the nation we inhabit. People alleged as unauthorized foreigners are detained and shoved into vehicles, occasionally refused legal rights. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. The president is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and requesting legal authorities surrender a massive sum of public funds. Uniformed troops are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, rebranded the Department of War, has practically rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends possibly reaching nearly $1tn in public funds. Colleges, attorney offices, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are handled as aristocracy.

“The United States, just months before its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” a noted author, commented this past summer. “Ultimately, faster than I imagined possible, it occurred in America.”

Every morning starts to new horrors. It is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and how quickly it has happened.

However, it is known that the president was properly voted in. Despite his profoundly alarming previous administration and despite the cautions associated with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – despite Trump himself declared plainly he planned to rule as a tyrant just on day one – a majority of citizens selected him instead of the other candidate.

Frightening as today's circumstances is, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just nine months under this leadership. Where will an additional three years of this downfall find us? And if the three years turns into something even longer, because there is nobody to limit this president from determining that a third term is necessary, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, there is still hope. We will have legislative votes next year which might create a new governmental control, should Democrats retake the Senate or House of the legislature. We have government representatives who are attempting to exert some accountability, for example lawmakers currently starting a probe regarding the effort to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in 2028 could start our journey toward restoration precisely as last year’s election set us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are countless citizens marching in the streets of their cities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the nation is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or amid the Vietnam war protests or throughout the Nixon controversy.

In those instances, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

He claims he recognizes the signals of that revival and observes it occurring currently. For proof, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united defiance by media to accept the defense department’s demands they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity always remains asleep until specific greed grows too toxic, an specific act so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that he has no choice other than to stir.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may prove to be right.

At the same time, the major inquiries remain: can America return to normalcy? Is it possible to restore its standing in the world and its devotion to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My cynical mind suggests that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be gone. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, convinces me that we need to strive, by any means we can.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that means encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For others, it may be engaging with political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to defend voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a very different place. In the future? Or after another term? The fact is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to strive to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The interaction I have during teaching with aspiring reporters, who are both visionary and realistic, {always