🔗 Share this article

Twelve months back, the landscape was utterly distinct. Ahead of the national election, thoughtful Americans could admit the country's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – but they still could identify it as America. A democracy. A place where legal governance carried weight. A country guided by a dignified and upright official, notwithstanding his older age and increasing frailty.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans hardly identify the nation we inhabit. People suspected of being undocumented migrants are collected and pushed into vehicles, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque dance hall. The leader is targeting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and demanding the justice department hand over an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are being sent to US urban areas on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, media outlets are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are handled as members of the royal family.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and extremism,” Garrett Graff, wrote in August. “Finally, swifter than I thought feasible, it did happen in this country.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. It is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we have become, and the speed at which it unfolded.

Nevertheless, it is known that Trump was properly voted in. Even after his deeply disturbing first term and even after the cautions that came with the understanding of the conservative plan – following the president personally stated openly he intended to act as an autocrat only on the first day – enough Americans chose him over the other candidate.

Frightening as the present situation may be, it's more daunting to realize that we have only been nine months into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this downfall find us? And if that timeframe turns into something even longer, because there is nobody to limit this ruler from opting that a third term is essential, maybe for national security reasons?

Admittedly, all is not lost. We will have legislative votes the coming year which might establish an alternate governmental control, if Democrats recapture either chamber of the legislature. There exist government representatives who are attempting to impose certain responsibility, for example representatives that are launching an investigation regarding the effort to cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a national vote three years from now could begin us down the road to healing precisely as the previous vote put us on this unfortunate course.

We see millions of Americans protesting in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or throughout anti-war demonstrations or throughout the seventies crisis.

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

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and notices it unfolding at present. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to agree to the defense department’s demands they only publish approved content.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays inactive till some venality grows too toxic, some action so contemptuous toward public welfare, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he has no choice but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll be validated.

In the meantime, the major inquiries endure: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it reclaim its status globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind suggests that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be gone. My optimistic spirit, though, convinces me that we need to strive, by any means available.

In my case, as a media critic, that means encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it may be engaging with congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to protect ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The truth is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to strive to persevere.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The contact I have during teaching with young journalists, who are equally idealistic and grounded, {always