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One year ago, the environment was entirely distinct. Ahead of the national election, considerate Americans could admit the nation's serious imperfections – its inequities and inequality – but they continued to perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A country where the rule of law held significance. A state guided by a dignified and ethical public servant, even with his older age and increasing frailty.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans barely recognize the land we inhabit. Individuals believed to be undocumented migrants are collected and forced into transport, at times refused legal rights. The eastern section of the White House – is being destroyed for a grotesque event space. The leader is targeting his opponents or supposed enemies and demanding the justice department transfer a massive sum of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, relabeled the War Department, has practically rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends possibly reaching nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, legal practices, media outlets are yielding under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as aristocracy.

“The US, just months before its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the limit into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, stated recently. “In the end, more quickly than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, we know that Trump was duly elected. Following his deeply disturbing previous administration and even after the alerts associated with the understanding of Project 2025 – following the leader directly declared plainly he planned to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters elected him rather than the other candidate.

As terrifying as the current reality are, it's more daunting to recognize that we have only been several months under this leadership. What will another 36 months of this downfall leave us? And what if the three years transforms into a more extended duration, because there is not anyone to restrain this president from opting that a third term is required, possibly for defense purposes?

Certainly, all is not lost. We will have congressional elections the coming year that may bring a different balance of power, should Democrats regain either chamber of parliament. There are public servants who are attempting to exert some accountability, for example representatives who are launching an investigation into the attempted cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could initiate us down the road to healing just as the prior selection placed us on this regrettable path.

There are numerous residents protesting in the streets of their cities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of the nation is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in that decade or during the sixties activism or during the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

The author states he understands the indicators of that resurgence and observes it occurring now. For proof, he cites the widespread marches, the widespread, multi-faction opposition against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they solely cover authorized information.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays asleep until some venality becomes so noxious, an specific act so contemptuous of the common good, certain violence so noisy, that it is forced except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

In the meantime, the big questions persist: will the nation regain its footing? Can it retrieve its position globally and its adherence to the rule of law?

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

My pessimistic brain indicates that the second option is accurate; that everything could be finished. My optimistic spirit, though, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways available.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that involves pushing media professionals to adhere, more completely, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve engaging with congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to defend electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we were in a very different place. In the future? Or after another term? The fact is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to strive to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I encounter with students with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and practical, {always