🔗 Share this article

One year ago, the environment was utterly different. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the nation's significant faults – its unfairness and inequality – however they still could see it as America. A democracy. A land where constitutional order carried weight. A country guided by a dignified and ethical leader, notwithstanding his elderly years and increasing frailty.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, many of us hardly identify the land we reside in. Individuals alleged as unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and pushed into vehicles, at times blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish dance hall. Donald Trump is persecuting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and requesting federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of public funds. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of possibly reaching close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, law firms, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are handled as members of the royal family.

“America, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the limit into authoritarianism and extremism,” a noted author, wrote recently. “Ultimately, more quickly than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes to new horrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how deeply lost our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

However, we understand that the leader was properly voted in. Even after his profoundly alarming initial presidency and despite the cautions linked to the awareness of the rightwing blueprint – even after the leader directly said publicly he would rule as a tyrant only on the first day – enough Americans elected him rather than Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the current reality are, it's more daunting to recognize that we have only been three-quarters of a year under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this deterioration find us? And if the three years turns into a more extended duration, as there is no one to stop this leader from determining that another term is required, maybe for security concerns?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There will be legislative votes in 2026 which might create a new political equilibrium, in case Democrats retake either chamber of Congress. There exist elected officials who are trying to exert certain responsibility, like Democratic congressmen that are starting a probe into the attempted cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a presidential election in 2028 could initiate the path to healing precisely as last year’s election placed us on this disappointing trajectory.

There exist numerous residents protesting in urban areas across municipalities, as they did in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the nation is awakening”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or during the Vietnam war protests or during the seventies crisis.

On those occasions, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

Reich says he understands the indicators of that resurgence and sees it happening currently. For proof, he cites the widespread marches, the widespread, bipartisan pushback against a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to accept the defense department’s demands they only publish authorized information.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays inactive till some venality becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful of societal benefit, specific cruelty so disruptive, that it has no choice but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues remain: will the nation regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position in the world and its commitment to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts suggests that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be gone. My optimistic spirit, however, advises me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways available.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that’s about urging journalists to commit, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve participating in congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to defend electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a separate situation. A year from now? Or after another term? The fact is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to attempt to continue fighting.

What Provides Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I experience during teaching with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and practical, {always