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In late October 2024, the environment was completely distinct. Ahead of the US presidential election, considerate citizens could recognize the nation's significant faults – its inequities and disparity – yet they still could see it as the US. A democracy. A place where the rule of law meant something. A state headed by a honorable and upright leader, even with his elderly years and growing weakness.

Currently, in late October 2025, countless Americans barely recognize the land we inhabit. People believed to be unauthorized foreigners are detained and pushed into transport, sometimes refused legal rights. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is being torn down to build a lavish ballroom. The leader is targeting his political rivals or supposed enemies and insisting legal authorities hand over an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, renamed the Defense Ministry, has practically rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, journalism organizations are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are treated like nobility.

“The US, just months before its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and extremism,” Garrett Graff, stated in August. “Ultimately, more quickly than I thought feasible, it occurred in this country.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. It is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we are, and the speed at which it unfolded.

However, we understand that Trump was legitimately chosen. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and despite the cautions that came with the awareness of the conservative plan – following the president personally said publicly he planned to be a dictator just on day one – enough Americans chose him rather than Kamala Harris.

While alarming as the present situation is, it’s even scarier to recognize that we are just several months into this presidential term. Where will another 36 months of this decline find us? And suppose that period transforms into something even longer, because there is nobody to restrain this president from determining that a third term is necessary, perhaps for security concerns?

Granted, all is not lost. There are midterm elections next year that may establish an alternate balance of power, if Democrats regain one or both houses of parliament. There are government representatives who are trying to apply some accountability, for example lawmakers that are launching an investigation into the attempted money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote three years from now could start us down the road to recovery exactly as last year’s election set us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see numerous residents demonstrating in urban areas across municipalities, similar to recent recently in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of America is awakening”, similar to past post-McCarthyism during the fifties or during the sixties activism or in the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the listing ship eventually was righted.

Reich says he recognizes the indicators of that revival and observes it occurring at present. As support, he points to the recent massive protests, the extensive, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to sign military mandates they only publish authorized information.

“The slumbering entity always remains dormant till some venality turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that the giant has no choice other than to stir.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll be validated.

In the meantime, the major inquiries persist: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position internationally and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or must we acknowledge that the 250-year-old experiment worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind tells me that the second option is correct; that everything might be lost. My positive feelings, however, convinces me that we need to strive, through all methods possible.

In my case, as a media critic, that means encouraging reporters to commit, more thoroughly, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it might involve participating in political races, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to safeguard ballot privileges.

Not even one year prior, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The reality is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is try to continue fighting.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The contact I have in the classroom with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and practical, {always