The Heartbreaking Change Just One Year Has Made in America
One year ago, the environment was completely distinct. Before the national election, thoughtful residents could acknowledge America's serious imperfections – its inequities and disparity – but they continued to perceive it as America. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order carried weight. A country led by a honorable and decent leader, despite his advanced age and declining health.
These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans barely recognize the nation we reside in. Persons alleged as illegal immigrants are rounded up and pushed into vans, at times refused legal rights. The left side of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish ballroom. The leader is targeting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and requesting the justice department hand over an enormous amount of public funds. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, renamed the Department of War, has effectively rid itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of what could amount to almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Institutions, attorney offices, media outlets are submitting from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are treated like aristocracy.
“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the limit into autocracy and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated in August. “Finally, faster than I imagined possible, it did happen here.”
One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and the speed at which it occurred.
However, we understand that the president was duly elected. Even after his profoundly alarming initial presidency and even after the alerts linked to the knowledge of Project 2025 – even after the president personally declared plainly he would act as an autocrat only on the first day – sufficient voters chose him over Kamala Harris.
Frightening as the current reality may be, it's more frightening to understand that we’re only several months under this leadership. How will an additional three years of this downfall find us? And if that period turns into a more extended duration, because there is no one to restrain this leader from deciding that another term is essential, maybe for national security reasons?
Certainly, all is not lost. There will be legislative votes the coming year that may establish an alternate governmental control, if Democrats regain either chamber of the legislature. There exist elected officials who are striving to impose some accountability, for example representatives who are starting a probe into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.
And a leadership election three years from now could start our journey toward restoration precisely as the previous vote set us on this unfortunate course.
We see countless citizens demonstrating in urban areas across municipalities, like they performed last weekend during anti-authority protests.
A former official, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in that decade or throughout the sixties activism or during the Watergate scandal.
On those occasions, the unstable nation eventually was righted.
The author states he understands the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding now. As evidence, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, bipartisan pushback regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united rejection by reporters to agree to the defense department’s demands they report only approved content.
“The slumbering entity consistently stays inactive until certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so contemptuous toward public welfare, some brutality so loud, that he is compelled but to awaken.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may turn out correct.
Meanwhile, the big questions persist: is the US able to ever recover? Can it retrieve its standing in the world and its commitment to the rule of law?
Or should we recognize that the historical project worked for a while, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My cynical mind tells me that the final scenario is true; that everything could be gone. My optimistic spirit, however, convinces me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.
For me, as a media critic, that involves urging journalists to live up, more fully, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For others, it may be engaging with election efforts, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to protect voting rights.
Under twelve months back, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to attempt to persevere.
What Offers Me Hope Now
The engagement I have in the classroom with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously visionary and practical, {always
