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One year ago, the situation was entirely distinct. Before the national election, considerate citizens could acknowledge the country's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – however they could still identify it as the United States. A democracy. A country where legal governance held significance. A state guided by a honorable and decent leader, despite his older age and declining health.

These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the nation we live in. Individuals alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into transport, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The president is harassing his opponents or supposed enemies and requesting federal prosecutors surrender a huge total of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are dispatched to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The military command, relabeled the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends what could amount to almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Universities, legal practices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and billionaires are treated like aristocracy.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge toward dictatorship and extremism,” a noted author, commented in August. “Ultimately, swifter than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we have become, and how quickly it unfolded.

Yet, we understand that the leader was properly voted in. Following his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the cautions linked to the understanding of Project 2025 – despite Trump himself declared plainly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans selected him rather than Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as the present situation may be, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just nine months into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this decline find us? And if that timeframe transforms into something even longer, as there is not anyone to restrain this leader from determining that additional tenure is essential, possibly for defense purposes?

Certainly, there is still hope. We will have legislative votes next year that could create a new governmental control, should Democrats regain the Senate or House of the legislature. We have public servants who are attempting to impose a degree of oversight, for example lawmakers currently launching an investigation regarding the effort to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote three years from now could begin us down the road to healing precisely as the previous vote placed us on this unfortunate course.

There are countless citizens demonstrating in public spaces of their cities, as they did in the past days during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, just as it did post-McCarthyism in that decade or during anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.

He claims he understands the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. As evidence, he cites the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance regarding a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous defiance by media to agree to the defense department’s demands they report only what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant always remains dormant till certain corruption turns extremely harmful, an specific act so disrespectful toward public welfare, some brutality so noisy, that it has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will prove to be right.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries remain: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its standing internationally and its devotion to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My negative thoughts suggests that the latter is accurate; that everything could be gone. My positive feelings, however, tells me that we must try, through all methods possible.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that means encouraging reporters to adhere, more thoroughly, to their duty of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve participating in congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or developing approaches to defend voting rights.

Not even one year prior, we lived in a very different place. A year from now? Or three years from now? The fact is, we don’t know. All we can do is try to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The contact I have during teaching with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and grounded, {always