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One year ago, the situation was entirely separate. Before the US presidential election, thoughtful citizens could acknowledge the country's serious imperfections – its inequities and disparity – but they could still see it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law meant something. A state guided by a honorable and upright official, despite his elderly years and growing weakness.

Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the land we live in. Individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants are rounded up and pushed into vans, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish dance hall. The president is harassing his political rivals or supposed enemies and requesting legal authorities hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses what could amount to close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Universities, law firms, journalism organizations are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like aristocracy.

“America, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the limit into autocracy and totalitarianism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Ultimately, more quickly than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – how severely declined our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that Trump was duly elected. Even after his highly troubling first term and despite the warnings associated with the awareness of the rightwing blueprint – even after Trump himself said publicly he would act as an autocrat only on the first day – enough Americans chose him over his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as today's circumstances is, it’s even scarier to realize that we are just three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. How will another 36 months of this deterioration position us? And suppose that timeframe turns into an prolonged era, because there is no one to limit this president from deciding that a third term is essential, perhaps for security concerns?

Certainly, there is still hope. There are legislative votes the coming year that may establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. There exist public servants who are trying to exert a degree of oversight, like Democratic congressmen that are initiating an inquiry into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.

And a presidential election three years from now could initiate our journey toward restoration precisely as the previous vote placed us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see countless citizens marching in the streets across municipalities, similar to recent in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of America is stirring”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or throughout the Vietnam war protests or throughout the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

Reich says he knows the signs of that resurgence and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the widespread, multi-faction opposition to a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to sign government requirements they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays asleep before some venality becomes so noxious, some action so contemptuous toward public welfare, certain violence so noisy, that he is forced but to awaken.”

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

In the meantime, the crucial issues endure: can America ever recover? Can it retrieve its position internationally and its devotion to constitutional order?

Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind indicates that the second option is true; that all may indeed be finished. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we need to strive, in whatever ways we can.

For me, as an observer of the press, that means pushing media professionals to commit, more completely, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it might involve working on congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to safeguard voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or after another term? The truth is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is try to persevere.

What Offers Me Hope Now

The engagement I encounter with students with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always