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One year ago, the environment was entirely separate. Ahead of the US presidential election, thoughtful citizens could recognize the nation's serious imperfections – its injustices and disparity – but they could still see it as the US. A democratic nation. A land where constitutional order held significance. A nation headed by a dignified and decent public servant, even with his advanced age and growing weakness.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, many of us scarcely know the nation we reside in. People believed to be unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and shoved into vehicles, at times denied due process. The East Wing of the White House – is being torn down for an obscene dance hall. The president is targeting his opponents or supposed enemies and insisting the justice department transfer a huge total of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The Pentagon, renamed the Defense Ministry, has practically rid itself of regular press examination as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Institutions, legal practices, news companies are submitting from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are regarded as nobility.

“America, just months before its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and totalitarianism,” a noted author, commented recently. “Finally, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen in this country.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. It is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we are, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, we know that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his highly troubling initial presidency and despite the cautions that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – following the president personally stated openly he intended to act as an autocrat just on day one – sufficient voters selected him over the other candidate.

Frightening as the present situation are, it's more daunting to understand that we have only been nine months into this administration. Where will another 36 months of this deterioration position us? And what if the three years turns into an prolonged era, because there is nobody to limit this president from opting that another term is essential, maybe for national security reasons?

Certainly, all is not lost. There are congressional elections the coming year that could bring a different political equilibrium, in case Democrats retake the Senate or House of Congress. There are public servants who are striving to exert certain responsibility, like Democratic congressmen that are starting a probe regarding the effort to cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a leadership election in 2028 could begin our journey to healing exactly as the prior selection put us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are numerous residents demonstrating in urban areas across municipalities, like they performed in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of the nation is stirring”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or during anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

Reich says he knows the signals of that resurgence and observes it occurring at present. As evidence, he cites the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition regarding a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to sign military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force consistently stays asleep till certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so noisy, that the giant is compelled other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

At the same time, the crucial issues endure: will the nation ever recover? Is it possible to restore its standing in the world and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind tells me that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be gone. My optimistic spirit, though, convinces me that we must try, in whatever ways possible.

In my case, as a media critic, that’s about urging journalists to adhere, more fully, to their purpose of holding power to account. For different individuals, it may be engaging with congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we lived in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The fact is, we cannot predict. The only option is to attempt to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I have with students with aspiring reporters, who are both idealistic and grounded, {always