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One year ago, the situation was completely separate. Prior to the national election, thoughtful citizens could recognize the country's serious imperfections – its unfairness and imbalance – however they continued to see it as the US. A democracy. A place where the rule of law held significance. A country led by a dignified and decent public servant, despite his advanced age and growing weakness.

Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens scarcely know the country we reside in. People alleged as undocumented migrants are collected and forced into vans, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the White House – is being destroyed to build a lavish event space. The leader is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and requesting federal prosecutors transfer a huge total of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are being sent across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – rid itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Colleges, law firms, news companies are buckling under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like members of the royal family.

“America, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge into autocracy and fascism,” Garrett Graff, wrote recently. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes to new horrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

However, we know that Trump was properly voted in. Following his deeply disturbing initial presidency and following the warnings linked to the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – following the president personally stated openly he intended to act as an autocrat only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him instead of Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the current reality may be, it's more daunting to recognize that we’re only several months under this leadership. How will another 36 months of this deterioration position us? And what if that period transforms into an prolonged era, because there is no one to stop this leader from determining that a third term is essential, perhaps for national security reasons?

Granted, all is not lost. There will be midterm elections next year that may bring a different political equilibrium, should Democrats recapture either chamber of the legislature. There are government representatives who are trying to apply a degree of oversight, such as representatives that are starting a probe regarding the effort to money grab from the justice department.

And a national vote in the next cycle could start us down the road toward restoration precisely as last year’s election put us on this regrettable path.

We see countless citizens demonstrating in the streets across municipalities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or during anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he recognizes the signs of that revival and notices it unfolding now. As evidence, he references the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, bipartisan pushback against a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to accept the defense department’s demands they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists dormant till some venality becomes so noxious, an specific act so disrespectful of societal benefit, some brutality so disruptive, that it is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Perhaps he will prove to be right.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries endure: can America ever recover? Can it reclaim its standing internationally and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be finished. My hopeful heart, however, tells me that we must try, through all methods possible.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that involves pushing media professionals to commit, more completely, to their duty of holding power to account. For some people, it may be participating in political races, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to protect voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we existed in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is try to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The contact I encounter in the classroom with young journalists, that are simultaneously visionary and realistic, {always