A Devastating Transformation Only 12 Months Has Made in America
One year ago, the situation was entirely distinct. Ahead of the American presidential vote, thoughtful residents could recognize the country's serious imperfections – its injustices and imbalance – however they continued to perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law meant something. A nation guided by a dignified and decent leader, notwithstanding his older age and increasing frailty.
These days, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens barely recognize the land we reside in. Individuals believed to be illegal immigrants are rounded up and forced into transport, at times refused legal rights. The East Wing of the White House – is being torn down for a grotesque dance hall. The president is targeting his political rivals or alleged foes and requesting the justice department surrender an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, renamed the War Department, has effectively liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of potentially totaling close to a trillion USD from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, news companies are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and rich magnates are regarded as aristocracy.
“The United States, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and fascism,” an American historian, commented recently. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen in this country.”
Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. And it is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how severely declined our nation is, and how quickly it occurred.
Yet, it is known that the leader was duly elected. Despite his profoundly alarming previous administration and even after the cautions linked to the awareness of the rightwing blueprint – even after the leader directly stated openly he would rule as a tyrant only on the first day – a majority of citizens chose him instead of Kamala Harris.
As terrifying as today's circumstances are, it’s even scarier to realize that we’re only nine months into this presidential term. Where will another 36 months of this deterioration leave us? And if that timeframe turns into a more extended duration, as there is not anyone to limit this ruler from determining that another term is required, possibly for national security reasons?
Granted, all is not lost. There are midterm elections the coming year that could bring a different governmental control, if Democrats recapture either chamber of the legislature. There are public servants who are striving to apply some accountability, for example Democratic congressmen who are starting a probe regarding the effort to fund seizure from the justice department.
And a leadership election three years from now could initiate us down the road toward restoration exactly as the prior selection put us on this unfortunate course.
There are countless citizens demonstrating in public spaces of their cities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.
An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the nation is rising”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism in that decade or amid the Vietnam war protests or in the Watergate scandal.
In those instances, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.
The author states he understands the signals of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he points to the recent massive protests, the widespread, bipartisan pushback regarding a television host's removal and the largely united rejection by reporters to accept government requirements they report only what is sanctioned.
“The dormant force consistently stays dormant till some venality becomes so noxious, a particular deed so offensive of the common good, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he has no choice other than to stir.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will prove to be right.
Meanwhile, the major inquiries endure: can America return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status in the world and its adherence to constitutional order?
Or do we need to admit that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?
My cynical mind tells me that the second option is true; that all may indeed be gone. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we have to attempt, through all methods we can.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that’s about encouraging reporters to adhere, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For some people, it could mean working on political races, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to protect electoral access.
Not even one year prior, we existed in a very different place. A year from now? Or after another term? The fact is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to strive to persevere.
What Offers Me Encouragement Today
The contact I encounter in the classroom with young journalists, who are both idealistic and grounded, {always
