The Devastating Change Only 12 Months Has Caused in the US
One year ago, the landscape was entirely distinct. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful residents could acknowledge the country's significant faults – its unfairness and imbalance – but they still could perceive it as the US. A democracy. A place where constitutional order carried weight. A country headed by a dignified and ethical public servant, notwithstanding his advanced age and declining health.
These days, as October 2025 ends, many of us barely recognize the nation we live in. Persons believed to be unauthorized foreigners are collected and pushed into vans, sometimes denied due process. The left side of the White House – is being torn down for an obscene ballroom. Donald Trump is persecuting his political rivals or alleged foes and insisting federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of public funds. Armed military personnel are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, renamed the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – freed itself of regular press examination while it uses what could amount to almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, journalism organizations are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like members of the royal family.
“The United States, just months before its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the brink toward dictatorship and extremism,” a noted author, commented recently. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it did happen here.”
Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we have become, and the speed at which it has happened.
Nevertheless, it is known that the leader was properly voted in. Even after his deeply disturbing first term and following the alerts linked to the awareness of Project 2025 – following the president personally said publicly he would rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens chose him over his Democratic opponent.
Frightening as the current reality are, it's more daunting to understand that we have only been several months under this leadership. Where will an additional three years of this decline leave us? And suppose that timeframe becomes something even longer, as there is nobody to restrain this leader from determining that a third term is required, perhaps for national security reasons?
Certainly, there is still hope. We will have midterm elections in 2026 which might establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. There are elected officials who are trying to exert some accountability, for example Democratic congressmen who are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to fund seizure from legal authorities.
And a presidential election in 2028 could start our journey to recovery precisely as the prior selection placed us on this unfortunate course.
There are countless citizens protesting in public spaces across municipalities, as they did recently in the No Kings rallies.
Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is awakening”, just as it did post-McCarthyism in that decade or throughout the sixties activism or in the seventies crisis.
During those times, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.
The author states he recognizes the signals of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. For proof, he cites the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance regarding a television host's removal and the almost universal rejection by reporters to sign the defense department’s demands they report only what is sanctioned.
“The dormant force perpetually exists dormant till specific greed turns extremely harmful, an specific act so contemptuous of societal benefit, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he is forced except to rise.”
It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may prove to be right.
In the meantime, the major inquiries persist: is the US able to ever recover? Is it possible to restore its position in the world and its adherence to the rule of law?
Or must we acknowledge that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My negative thoughts tells me that the latter is correct; that everything could be finished. My hopeful heart, though, tells me that we must try, by any means available.
Personally, as a media critic, that’s about pushing media professionals to adhere, more thoroughly, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with political races, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to defend voting rights.
Less than a year ago, we were in a separate situation. A year from now? Or after another term? The fact is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to attempt to not give up.
What Offers Me Optimism Currently
The interaction I encounter during teaching with young journalists, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always
