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Twelve months back, the situation was completely separate. Before the US presidential election, reflective Americans could recognize the country's significant faults – its inequities and imbalance – however they continued to see it as the US. A free society. A country where legal governance meant something. A nation led by a dignified and ethical official, notwithstanding his elderly years and declining health.

Nowadays, in late October 2025, countless Americans barely recognize the country we reside in. People believed to be illegal immigrants are detained and shoved into vans, sometimes denied due process. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish ballroom. The leader is harassing his political rivals or perceived antagonists and insisting legal authorities hand over a massive sum of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are deployed into American cities with deceptive justifications. The Pentagon, relabeled the Department of War, has effectively liberated itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Universities, attorney offices, news companies are submitting from leader's menaces, and billionaires are regarded as aristocracy.

“America, just months before its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the brink toward dictatorship and fascism,” Garrett Graff, stated this past summer. “Ultimately, more quickly than I believed likely, it occurred here.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how severely declined our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

Yet, we understand that the leader was legitimately chosen. Even after his highly troubling first term and despite the warnings linked to the awareness of the conservative plan – following the president personally stated openly he planned to act as an autocrat solely at the start – enough Americans chose him instead of Kamala Harris.

While alarming as today's circumstances are, it’s even scarier to recognize that we have only been three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this downfall position us? And if the three years becomes a more extended duration, as there is no one to limit this ruler from determining that a third term is essential, possibly for defense purposes?

Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There are midterm elections the coming year that may establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of parliament. There are public servants who are trying to impose some accountability, such as lawmakers that are starting a probe regarding the effort to fund seizure from legal authorities.

And a leadership election three years from now could start us down the road to healing exactly as the previous vote put us on this disappointing trajectory.

There exist millions of Americans demonstrating in the streets across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or during the sixties activism or during the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

Reich says he recognizes the signs of that awakening and sees it happening currently. For proof, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, cross-party resistance against a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to accept government requirements they only publish approved content.

“The sleeping giant always remains dormant until certain corruption becomes so noxious, a particular deed so disrespectful of the common good, specific cruelty so disruptive, that it is compelled other than to stir.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.

At the same time, the crucial issues persist: will the nation regain its footing? Can it reclaim its status globally and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind indicates that the final scenario is accurate; that everything might be lost. My optimistic spirit, however, convinces me that we need to strive, by any means possible.

For me, as an observer of the press, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more fully, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve working on political races, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.

Not even one year prior, we existed in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or after another term? The fact is, we don’t know. All we can do is try to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The contact I encounter with students with aspiring reporters, who are both idealistic and practical, {always