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In late October 2024, the environment was utterly different. Ahead of the American presidential vote, reflective Americans could admit America's deep flaws – its unfairness and imbalance – however they still could see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A land where constitutional order held significance. A state led by a respectable and decent official, notwithstanding his elderly years and declining health.

These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the country we reside in. Individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants are detained and pushed into vans, sometimes denied due process. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for an obscene ballroom. Donald Trump is targeting his adversaries or supposed enemies and insisting federal prosecutors surrender a massive sum of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, rebranded the War Department, has practically liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, journalism organizations are buckling under the president’s threats, and billionaires are treated like aristocracy.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, commented recently. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it transpired in America.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it's difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – how deeply lost we have become, and how quickly it occurred.

Nevertheless, we understand that the president was properly voted in. Despite his deeply disturbing previous administration and despite the warnings associated with the understanding of Project 2025 – following the leader directly stated openly he would be a dictator just on day one – a majority of citizens selected him rather than his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as today's circumstances is, it's more daunting to realize that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. What will another 36 months of this downfall position us? And what if that period becomes an prolonged era, since there is no one to limit this leader from determining that another term is essential, possibly for security concerns?

Granted, there is still hope. We will have congressional elections next year that may establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of parliament. We have government representatives who are attempting to impose some accountability, such as representatives who are initiating an inquiry into the attempted fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in 2028 could start the path to recovery just as the previous vote put us on this regrettable path.

There exist numerous residents protesting in the streets throughout communities, like they performed recently in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of the nation is awakening”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or throughout the Vietnam war protests or throughout the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

He claims he knows the indicators of that resurgence and notices it unfolding now. As evidence, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, multi-faction opposition regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united refusal by journalists to accept the defense department’s demands they only publish approved content.

“The dormant force consistently stays asleep before specific greed turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so offensive of the common good, specific cruelty so loud, that the giant is forced other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may turn out correct.

In the meantime, the major inquiries remain: will the nation ever recover? Is it possible to restore its position in the world and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My cynical mind indicates that the final scenario is true; that everything might be finished. My optimistic spirit, however, convinces me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

For me, as a media critic, that means urging journalists to adhere, more thoroughly, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with political races, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to safeguard voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we were in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we don’t know. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What Provides Me Hope Now

The contact I have in the classroom with young journalists, who are both hopeful and realistic, {always