A Tragic Change Only 12 Months Has Made in the United States
In late October 2024, the situation was utterly distinct. Before the US presidential election, considerate citizens could acknowledge the country's serious imperfections – its unfairness and disparity – yet they could still see it as the US. A free society. A land where constitutional order meant something. A nation led by a honorable and decent leader, notwithstanding his older age and declining health.
Currently, in late October 2025, countless Americans hardly identify the country we reside in. Persons believed to be illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vehicles, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the White House – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. The president is targeting his opponents or perceived antagonists and demanding the justice department transfer a huge total of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The Pentagon, rebranded the War Department, has effectively freed itself of regular press examination while it uses possibly reaching nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Colleges, legal practices, media outlets are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are regarded as members of the royal family.
“The US, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the limit toward dictatorship and fascism,” Garrett Graff, commented this past summer. “Ultimately, swifter than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”
Every morning starts to new horrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we have become, and the speed at which it has happened.
Yet, it is known that Trump was properly voted in. Despite his profoundly alarming initial presidency and even after the cautions linked to the knowledge of the conservative plan – following the president personally stated openly he planned to be a dictator solely at the start – sufficient voters chose him rather than the other candidate.
While alarming as the current reality are, it’s even scarier to understand that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. What will another 36 months of this decline find us? And if the three years transforms into something even longer, since there is nobody to limit this leader from opting that additional tenure is required, perhaps for defense purposes?
Admittedly, there is still hope. There are legislative votes the coming year that may create a new governmental control, in case Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. There exist government representatives who are striving to exert certain responsibility, such as lawmakers who are launching an investigation into the attempted fund seizure from the justice department.
And a national vote in 2028 could initiate our journey to recovery exactly as the prior selection placed us on this regrettable path.
We see millions of Americans protesting in public spaces across municipalities, like they performed in the past days in the No Kings rallies.
An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the slumbering force of America is stirring”, just as it did following the Red Scare in that decade or amid the Vietnam war protests or during the Watergate scandal.
During those times, the listing ship eventually was righted.
He claims he understands the signals of that awakening and sees it happening at present. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition against a television host's removal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to sign military mandates they solely cover approved content.
“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive before some venality becomes so noxious, a particular deed so offensive of the common good, specific cruelty so noisy, that it is compelled other than to stir.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may turn out correct.
Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: can America regain its footing? Can it reclaim its status globally and its commitment 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 tells me that the second option is correct; that everything might be finished. My hopeful heart, though, tells me that we need to strive, through all methods possible.
In my case, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more completely, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it may be working on congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to defend ballot privileges.
Less than a year ago, we were in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The fact is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to strive to continue fighting.
What Offers Me Hope Now
The engagement I have with students with new media professionals, who are equally visionary and realistic, {always
