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One year ago, the situation was utterly different. Prior to the US presidential election, considerate citizens could acknowledge the country's significant faults – its unfairness and inequality – yet they continued to perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where legal governance carried weight. A state led by a respectable and ethical official, notwithstanding his elderly years and declining health.

These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens scarcely know the nation we reside in. Persons alleged as undocumented migrants are collected and forced into vans, at times blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being torn down for a grotesque event space. Donald Trump is persecuting his opponents or supposed enemies and demanding federal prosecutors transfer a huge total of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – liberated itself of regular press examination while it uses possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, law firms, media outlets are buckling under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are regarded as nobility.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the brink into authoritarianism and extremism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Ultimately, swifter than I thought feasible, it transpired in America.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we have become, and the speed at which it occurred.

However, we know that Trump was legitimately chosen. Despite his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the cautions that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite Trump himself said publicly he would be a dictator only on the first day – sufficient voters selected him instead of the other candidate.

Frightening as today's circumstances may be, it's more frightening to understand that we have only been several months into this administration. What will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And what if the three years becomes a more extended duration, as there is not anyone to limit this ruler from opting that a third term is necessary, perhaps for national security reasons?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. There will be congressional elections the coming year that may establish an alternate political equilibrium, in case Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. We have public servants who are trying to exert certain responsibility, like lawmakers who are starting a probe into the attempted money grab from the justice department.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could begin our journey toward restoration precisely as last year’s election put us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see countless citizens protesting in urban areas across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of America is stirring”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or during the sixties activism or during the Nixon controversy.

In those instances, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he knows the signals of that resurgence and observes it occurring now. As evidence, he points to the widespread marches, the extensive, bipartisan pushback to a television host's removal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to agree to military mandates they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force always remains asleep until some venality turns extremely harmful, an specific act so disrespectful of societal benefit, some brutality so loud, that the giant is forced other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may turn out correct.

In the meantime, the crucial issues endure: is the US able to ever recover? Can it retrieve its position globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain indicates that the second option is correct; that everything might be gone. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, advises me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways we can.

Personally, as a media critic, that involves urging journalists to adhere, more fully, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve participating in political races, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to defend electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we were in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or three years from now? The fact is, we cannot predict. The only option is to attempt to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The engagement I have in the classroom with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and grounded, {always