The Devastating Change Only 12 Months Has Caused in America
One year ago, the situation was entirely distinct. Before the national election, considerate citizens could recognize the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and inequality – however they continued to perceive it as the United States. A democratic nation. A country where the rule of law carried weight. A country guided by a honorable and ethical public servant, even with his elderly years and growing weakness.
These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens scarcely know the land we live in. Persons believed to be undocumented migrants are rounded up and shoved into vehicles, at times denied due process. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for an obscene dance hall. Donald Trump is targeting his opponents or supposed enemies and demanding federal prosecutors hand over a huge total of public funds. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – liberated itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, news companies are submitting from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are handled as aristocracy.
“America, just months before its 250th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Finally, more quickly than I thought feasible, it did happen here.”
One awakes to new horrors. And it's challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – how severely declined we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.
However, it is known that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his profoundly alarming initial presidency and even after the alerts that came with the awareness of the conservative plan – even after the leader directly stated openly he planned to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters elected him over the other candidate.
While alarming as the current reality is, it’s even scarier to understand that we have only been several months into this administration. How will an additional three years of this deterioration position us? And suppose the three years turns into a more extended duration, as there is nobody to limit this president from determining that a third term is necessary, possibly for defense purposes?
Granted, not everything is hopeless. There will be midterm elections next year which might create a new governmental control, if Democrats recapture the Senate or House of Congress. There are public servants who are trying to apply some accountability, such as lawmakers that are starting a probe regarding the effort to cash appropriation from the justice department.
And a national vote in the next cycle could initiate our journey toward restoration exactly as the previous vote placed us on this disappointing trajectory.
We see countless citizens protesting in public spaces of their cities, like they performed recently during anti-authority protests.
Robert Reich, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the nation is stirring”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in that decade or amid the Vietnam war protests or throughout the Nixon controversy.
On those occasions, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.
Reich says he recognizes the indicators of that resurgence and notices it unfolding currently. As evidence, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, multi-faction opposition against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to agree to military mandates they solely cover approved content.
“The sleeping giant always remains dormant before certain corruption turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that the giant has no choice but to awaken.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may turn out correct.
In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to ever recover? Can it reclaim its standing globally and its adherence to the rule of law?
Or must we acknowledge that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My cynical mind indicates that the second option is true; that all may indeed be finished. My optimistic spirit, however, convinces me that we need to strive, through all methods we can.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that means urging journalists to live up, more fully, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it may be engaging with political races, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard electoral access.
Not even one year prior, we were in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to continue fighting.
What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today
The engagement I have in the classroom with young journalists, who are both idealistic and practical, {always
