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In late October 2024, the environment was utterly different. Ahead of the American presidential vote, considerate citizens could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its unfairness and inequality – however they still could perceive it as the United States. A democratic nation. A place where legal governance held significance. A nation guided by a honorable and ethical leader, even with his older age and increasing frailty.

These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the country we inhabit. Persons alleged as undocumented migrants are collected and forced into transport, occasionally refused legal rights. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being torn down to build a lavish dance hall. The leader is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and insisting legal authorities surrender an enormous amount of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, renamed the War Department, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight while it uses potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Colleges, legal practices, media outlets are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are handled as members of the royal family.

“America, just months before its 250^th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the limit into authoritarianism and extremism,” an American historian, wrote in August. “Ultimately, more quickly than I thought feasible, it did happen here.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. It is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost our nation is, and how quickly it has happened.

However, we know that Trump was legitimately chosen. Despite his deeply disturbing initial presidency and even after the cautions that came with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – following the leader directly stated openly he intended to act as an autocrat just on day one – enough Americans chose him rather than the other candidate.

Frightening as today's circumstances may be, it’s even scarier to understand that we are just nine months under this leadership. How will another 36 months of this decline leave us? And what if that period becomes a more extended duration, since there is no one to restrain this ruler from opting that a third term is required, possibly for defense purposes?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There are congressional elections in 2026 that may bring a different governmental control, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of the legislature. There exist public servants who are trying to impose certain responsibility, for example representatives that are launching an investigation into the attempted money grab from the justice department.

And a national vote in 2028 could begin the path to recovery precisely as the previous vote set us on this unfortunate course.

There are numerous residents demonstrating in public spaces across municipalities, similar to recent recently during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the US is awakening”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or amid anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

The author states he knows the indicators of that awakening and observes it occurring now. As evidence, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, cross-party resistance against a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists inactive before specific greed turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so disrespectful toward public welfare, specific cruelty so noisy, that it has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Perhaps he will be validated.

At the same time, the major inquiries remain: can America ever recover? Can it reclaim its standing internationally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the second option is accurate; that everything could be gone. My optimistic spirit, however, advises me that we have to attempt, through all methods we can.

In my case, working in journalism analysis, that means pushing media professionals to adhere, more fully, to their purpose of holding power to account. For different individuals, it might involve participating in election efforts, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to protect voting rights.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The fact is, we don’t know. All we can do is to strive to persevere.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I experience in the classroom with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always