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Twelve months back, the situation was entirely different. Before the American presidential vote, considerate residents could acknowledge America's deep flaws – its injustices and imbalance – however they continued to see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A country where constitutional order carried weight. A state headed by a dignified and ethical leader, despite his advanced age and declining health.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, many of us barely recognize the nation we live in. Individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants are rounded up and pushed into vehicles, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The left side of the White House – is being destroyed for an obscene event space. The president is harassing his political rivals or perceived antagonists and demanding federal prosecutors transfer an enormous amount of public funds. Uniformed troops are deployed to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The military command, renamed the Department of War, has effectively rid itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, legal practices, news companies are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are regarded as members of the royal family.

“America, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the limit into autocracy and fascism,” Garrett Graff, stated this past summer. “Finally, swifter than I thought feasible, it did happen in this country.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and how quickly it occurred.

Nevertheless, we understand that the president was legitimately chosen. Following his profoundly alarming previous administration and despite the warnings that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – despite the president personally said publicly he intended to be a dictator solely at the start – enough Americans selected him instead of his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as the current reality may be, it's more frightening to realize that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this administration. Where will an additional three years of this decline find us? And suppose the three years turns into something even longer, because there is not anyone to stop this leader from opting that additional tenure is necessary, maybe for security concerns?

Granted, all is not lost. We will have congressional elections the coming year which might establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats regain the Senate or House of Congress. There exist public servants who are striving to impose certain responsibility, such as lawmakers who are starting a probe into the attempted money grab from the justice department.

And a presidential election three years from now could begin us down the road to recovery precisely as the previous vote placed us on this unfortunate course.

There exist countless citizens marching in public spaces of their cities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of America is stirring”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism in that decade or amid anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

He claims he recognizes the indicators of that resurgence and sees it happening at present. As evidence, he references the recent massive protests, the extensive, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to sign the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive until some venality turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so disrespectful toward public welfare, some brutality so disruptive, that it has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll be validated.

At the same time, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its standing internationally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind indicates that the second option is true; that everything could be gone. My hopeful heart, however, advises me that we must try, through all methods available.

For me, as an observer of the press, that involves encouraging reporters to commit, more completely, to their duty of holding power to account. For different individuals, it could mean participating in election efforts, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to defend ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we existed in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we don’t know. All we can do is to attempt to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I have during teaching with young journalists, who are both idealistic and realistic, {always