A Tragic Change Only 12 Months Has Caused in the US
One year ago, the environment was entirely distinct. Before the US presidential election, considerate citizens could recognize the nation's deep flaws – its inequities and imbalance – yet they could still identify it as America. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law meant something. A nation headed by a honorable and upright leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and increasing frailty.
Currently, in late October 2025, countless Americans barely recognize the land we inhabit. Individuals alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and shoved into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition for an obscene ballroom. The leader is harassing his adversaries or alleged foes and demanding the justice department surrender a huge total of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, rebranded the Department of War, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination while it uses potentially totaling close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are buckling under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are treated like members of the royal family.
“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, stated recently. “Finally, swifter than I imagined possible, it occurred in America.”
Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it is hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.
Yet, we know that the president was duly elected. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and despite the warnings that came with the knowledge of Project 2025 – despite the president personally stated openly he intended to rule as a tyrant just on day one – enough Americans selected him instead of Kamala Harris.
As terrifying as the present situation are, it's more daunting to realize that we have only been three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. What will three more years of this deterioration position us? And suppose that timeframe transforms into a more extended duration, since there is not anyone to restrain this president from determining that a third term is essential, possibly for national security reasons?
Admittedly, all is not lost. There will be midterm elections the coming year that may create a new governmental control, if Democrats recapture either chamber of Congress. There exist public servants who are striving to exert certain responsibility, such as representatives that are starting a probe regarding the effort to fund seizure from the justice department.
And a national vote in 2028 could start us down the road to recovery exactly as last year’s election placed us on this disappointing trajectory.
There are numerous residents protesting in the streets throughout communities, similar to recent last weekend during anti-authority protests.
A former official, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in the 1950s or throughout the Vietnam war protests or during the seventies crisis.
In those instances, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.
The author states he knows the signs of that resurgence and sees it happening currently. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance regarding a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they only publish what is sanctioned.
“The slumbering entity consistently stays dormant before some venality turns extremely harmful, some action so disrespectful of societal benefit, some brutality so noisy, that he is compelled but to awaken.”
It's a positive outlook, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.
At the same time, the major inquiries persist: will the nation return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its position internationally and its adherence to constitutional order?
Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My cynical mind suggests that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be finished. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, convinces me that we must try, through all methods possible.
Personally, as an observer of the press, that’s about encouraging reporters to commit, more fully, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve participating in congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to safeguard ballot privileges.
Under twelve months back, we existed in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The fact is, we cannot predict. The only option is try to not give up.
What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently
The interaction I have in the classroom with new media professionals, that are simultaneously idealistic and practical, {always
