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In late October 2024, the environment was completely separate. Before the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could admit the country's significant faults – its unfairness and inequality – however they still could identify it as the US. A democratic nation. A land where legal governance carried weight. A nation guided by a honorable and ethical public servant, notwithstanding his older age and growing weakness.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans barely recognize the land we live in. Persons alleged as undocumented migrants are detained and forced into transport, at times denied due process. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition for an obscene dance hall. The president is persecuting his opponents or alleged foes and insisting legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of public funds. Armed military personnel are being sent across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, renamed the War Department, has effectively rid itself of routine media oversight as it spends what could amount to nearly $1tn in public funds. Universities, attorney offices, journalism organizations are yielding from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are handled as nobility.

“The US, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the limit toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, commented this past summer. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it transpired here.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is challenging to understand – and painful to realize – how deeply lost we have become, and the speed at which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that the leader was properly voted in. Even after his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the cautions linked to the understanding of Project 2025 – even after Trump himself stated openly he would act as an autocrat solely at the start – enough Americans selected him rather than the other candidate.

As terrifying as the current reality is, it’s even scarier to realize that we’re only several months under this leadership. What will an additional three years of this deterioration position us? And if that period becomes an prolonged era, as there is not anyone to stop this ruler from opting that a third term is essential, maybe for national security reasons?

Certainly, all is not lost. We will have legislative votes next year that may create a new governmental control, in case Democrats retake the Senate or House of Congress. There are public servants who are attempting to impose a degree of oversight, for example representatives currently initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to cash appropriation from the justice department.

And a national vote three years from now could begin us down the road toward restoration precisely as last year’s election set us on this unfortunate course.

There are countless citizens protesting in public spaces of their cities, like they performed in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or amid the Vietnam war protests or during the seventies crisis.

During those times, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

He claims he knows the signals of that resurgence and observes it occurring now. As support, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays asleep before some venality turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may be validated.

In the meantime, the big questions endure: can America ever recover? Is it possible to restore its status in the world and its adherence to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the final scenario is accurate; that everything might be finished. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, convinces me that we need to strive, in whatever ways we can.

Personally, as a media critic, that means encouraging reporters to commit, more fully, to their mission of holding power to account. For others, it might involve participating in political races, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to protect electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or after another term? The truth is, we don’t know. The only option is try to not give up.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have in the classroom with young journalists, who are equally idealistic and practical, {always