The Devastating Change Just One Year Has Caused in America

In late October 2024, the landscape was completely different. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful citizens could acknowledge America's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – but they could still perceive it as America. A democracy. A country where the rule of law meant something. A country headed by a honorable and ethical official, notwithstanding his elderly years and increasing frailty.

These days, as October 2025 ends, many of us scarcely know the nation we reside in. Persons suspected of being illegal immigrants are detained and pushed into vehicles, occasionally refused legal rights. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for a grotesque event space. Donald Trump is targeting his opponents or perceived antagonists and requesting federal prosecutors transfer a huge total of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, renamed the War Department, has effectively freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are treated like aristocracy.

“The United States, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the limit into authoritarianism and fascism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Finally, more quickly than I thought feasible, it transpired here.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. It is hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how severely declined our nation is, and how quickly it has happened.

Yet, it is known that the president was properly voted in. Despite his profoundly alarming previous administration and even after the warnings that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – even after the president personally declared plainly he intended to act as an autocrat only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him instead of his Democratic opponent.

While alarming as the current reality are, it's more daunting to understand that we have only been several months under this leadership. Where will three more years of this downfall leave us? And suppose that period becomes something even longer, since there is not anyone to stop this leader from opting that another term is necessary, possibly for defense purposes?

Granted, there is still hope. There are midterm elections next year which might create a new balance of power, should Democrats regain one or both houses of the legislature. We have government representatives who are striving to impose some accountability, such as lawmakers currently starting a probe concerning the try to money grab from the justice department.

And a national vote in the next cycle could initiate the path to healing just as the prior selection put us on this regrettable path.

We see countless citizens protesting in the streets throughout communities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in that decade or during anti-war demonstrations or throughout the seventies crisis.

On those occasions, the listing ship eventually was righted.

Reich says he knows the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the widespread, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they solely cover authorized information.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists inactive until specific greed becomes so noxious, a particular deed so offensive of societal benefit, certain violence so noisy, that the giant is compelled other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may be validated.

In the meantime, the major inquiries endure: will the nation regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its standing internationally and its devotion to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the historical project worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind tells me that the second option is accurate; that all may indeed be gone. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, convinces me that we have to attempt, through all methods possible.

For me, as a media critic, that’s about encouraging reporters to adhere, more thoroughly, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it may be working on political races, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to defend electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we lived in an alternate reality. In the future? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to attempt to not give up.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I encounter in the classroom with aspiring reporters, who are both hopeful and realistic, {always