A Devastating Shift a Single Year Has Caused in America

One year ago, the environment was entirely different. Ahead of the American presidential vote, thoughtful citizens could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – however they continued to identify it as the United States. A free society. A land where constitutional order held significance. A state headed by a dignified and ethical official, despite his elderly years and declining health.

These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans hardly identify the nation we inhabit. People believed to be unauthorized foreigners are collected and shoved into vehicles, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the White House – is being torn down for an obscene ballroom. Donald Trump is persecuting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and demanding legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of public funds. Uniformed troops are being sent into American cities with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – rid itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of what could amount to nearly $1tn in public funds. Universities, law firms, media outlets are buckling under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are handled as aristocracy.

“The US, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the edge into authoritarianism and extremism,” an American historian, commented in August. “In the end, faster than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”

Each day begins to new horrors. It is challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Nevertheless, we understand that the leader was duly elected. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and even after the alerts linked to the knowledge of Project 2025 – despite the leader directly said publicly he would be a dictator only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him over Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the current reality is, it's more frightening to realize that we have only been nine months into this presidential term. What will another 36 months of this decline leave us? And suppose that period becomes a more extended duration, because there is not anyone to restrain this ruler from opting that a third term is necessary, perhaps for defense purposes?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There will be congressional elections the coming year which might establish an alternate political equilibrium, in case Democrats regain the Senate or House of parliament. There are public servants who are attempting to impose certain responsibility, such as lawmakers that are starting a probe into the attempted money grab from the justice department.

And a presidential election three years from now could initiate the path to recovery precisely as the previous vote placed us on this disappointing trajectory.

There exist millions of Americans protesting in public spaces across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is stirring”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in the 1950s or during the Vietnam war protests or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.

He claims he understands the signs of that resurgence and observes it occurring currently. As evidence, he cites the recent massive protests, the broad, bipartisan pushback regarding a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to accept the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists asleep before specific greed grows too toxic, a particular deed so contemptuous of the common good, some brutality so noisy, that he is forced but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: can America return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its position globally and its devotion to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind suggests that the final scenario is true; that everything could be finished. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that means urging journalists to commit, more fully, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For others, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to safeguard electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we were in a separate situation. A year from now? Or after another term? The reality is, we are uncertain. The only option is to attempt to persevere.

What Provides Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I encounter during teaching with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously idealistic and realistic, {always