The Devastating Shift Just One Year Has Made in America
Twelve months back, the environment was completely distinct. Ahead of the American presidential vote, considerate citizens could acknowledge the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and imbalance – however they continued to see it as the United States. A democracy. A place where the rule of law held significance. A state guided by a honorable and ethical official, even with his elderly years and increasing frailty.
Currently, as October 2025 ends, many of us scarcely know the country we live in. People suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are detained and pushed into transport, occasionally refused legal rights. The eastern section of the White House – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. The leader is persecuting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and demanding federal prosecutors transfer a huge total of public funds. Uniformed troops are deployed to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, journalism organizations are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are treated like members of the royal family.
“America, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the edge into autocracy and fascism,” Garrett Graff, commented this past summer. “In the end, faster than I thought feasible, it did happen here.”
Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it's challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – how severely declined we are, and how quickly it occurred.
Yet, we understand that the leader was duly elected. Despite his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the cautions that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite the leader directly declared plainly he planned to act as an autocrat just on day one – enough Americans elected him over his Democratic opponent.
As terrifying as the present situation may be, it's more daunting to realize that we have only been several months into this presidential term. What will three more years of this deterioration find us? And suppose the three years transforms into something even longer, as there is nobody to stop this leader from opting that a third term is essential, maybe for security concerns?
Admittedly, there is still hope. We will have legislative votes the coming year which might create a new governmental control, in case Democrats regain either chamber of the legislature. There exist government representatives who are attempting to impose some accountability, like Democratic congressmen who are launching an investigation into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.
And a presidential election in 2028 could start the path toward restoration exactly as last year’s election placed us on this unfortunate course.
There exist numerous residents marching in public spaces across municipalities, similar to recent recently at democracy demonstrations.
A former official, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or during the sixties activism or throughout the Nixon controversy.
During those times, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.
He claims he recognizes the indicators of that resurgence and observes it occurring at present. As support, he points to the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a television host's removal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to accept government requirements they only publish approved content.
“The slumbering entity perpetually exists dormant until specific greed turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, some brutality so loud, that the giant is forced other than to stir.”
It's a positive outlook, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may turn out correct.
At the same time, the crucial issues endure: is the US able to ever recover? Can it reclaim its status in the world and its commitment to legal principles?
Or must we acknowledge that the 250-year-old experiment worked for a while, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My negative thoughts tells me that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be finished. My optimistic spirit, however, convinces me that we have to attempt, by any means available.
Personally, as an observer of the press, that’s about urging journalists to adhere, more thoroughly, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it may be engaging with election efforts, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to safeguard ballot privileges.
Under twelve months back, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is try to not give up.
What Provides Me Optimism Currently
The engagement I experience during teaching with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and grounded, {always