The Devastating Change Only 12 Months Has Brought in the United States
In late October 2024, the environment was utterly separate. Before the national election, thoughtful citizens could admit the nation's significant faults – its injustices and disparity – however they continued to perceive it as America. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law meant something. A state led by a honorable and upright official, despite his advanced age and increasing frailty.
Nowadays, in late October 2025, numerous citizens scarcely know the nation we live in. Persons alleged as unauthorized foreigners are detained and pushed into vehicles, at times denied due process. The left side of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The president is targeting his opponents or perceived antagonists and requesting federal prosecutors transfer a huge total of public funds. Uniformed troops are dispatched to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, renamed the Department of War, has practically freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of what could amount to nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, legal practices, news companies are yielding from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are regarded as aristocracy.
“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the brink into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Ultimately, more quickly than I imagined possible, it transpired in America.”
Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.
Yet, it is known that Trump was properly voted in. Even after his deeply disturbing first term and even after the warnings that came with the awareness of Project 2025 – despite Trump himself said publicly he intended to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters selected him instead of Kamala Harris.
While alarming as the present situation is, it's more daunting to recognize that we have only been several months into this administration. What will three more years of this downfall leave us? And what if that timeframe transforms into an prolonged era, since there is no one to limit this leader from deciding that another term is necessary, possibly for security concerns?
Admittedly, all is not lost. There will be legislative votes next year that could create a new political equilibrium, in case Democrats retake one or both houses of parliament. There are public servants who are attempting to apply some accountability, like representatives who are launching an investigation concerning the try to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.
And a presidential election three years from now could start us down the road to healing exactly as the previous vote placed us on this unfortunate course.
There exist numerous residents protesting in the streets across municipalities, as they did last weekend during anti-authority protests.
A former official, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, just as it did following the Red Scare during the fifties or during the Vietnam war protests or throughout the seventies crisis.
During those times, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.
Reich says he knows the signals of that resurgence and observes it occurring currently. As support, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, bipartisan pushback regarding a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to accept military mandates they only publish approved content.
“The dormant force consistently stays asleep before specific greed grows too toxic, an specific act so contemptuous of the common good, some brutality so loud, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”
It's a positive outlook, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will turn out correct.
At the same time, the big questions remain: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its position globally and its commitment to constitutional order?
Or should we recognize that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?
My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is correct; that everything could be lost. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we must try, in whatever ways possible.
Personally, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to commit, more thoroughly, to their mission of holding power to account. For different individuals, it may be engaging with congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to protect voting rights.
Under twelve months back, we were in a very different place. In the future? Or three years from now? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is try to persevere.
What Offers Me Optimism Currently
The engagement I experience in the classroom with young journalists, who are both hopeful and practical, {always
