The Devastating Shift a Single Year Has Made in the United States
Twelve months back, the situation was completely different. Before the national election, reflective citizens could admit the nation's deep flaws – its unfairness and disparity – but they continued to see it as the US. A democratic nation. A land where the rule of law carried weight. A country guided by a dignified and decent official, despite his elderly years and increasing frailty.
Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens scarcely know the country we reside in. Persons suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are detained and pushed into vans, occasionally denied due process. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque event space. The president is harassing his adversaries or alleged foes and insisting federal prosecutors hand over a massive sum of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, relabeled the Department of War, has practically freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of what could amount to nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, legal practices, media outlets are buckling under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.
“The United States, just months before its 250th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the edge toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, stated this past summer. “In the end, swifter than I thought feasible, it did happen in this country.”
Every morning starts to new horrors. It is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we have become, and how quickly it unfolded.
Nevertheless, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Following his highly troubling initial presidency and following the cautions linked to the awareness of the conservative plan – even after the president personally declared plainly he would act as an autocrat solely at the start – enough Americans elected him rather than his Democratic opponent.
As terrifying as today's circumstances may be, it's more daunting to understand that we have only been several months into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this deterioration find us? And what if the three years transforms into a more extended duration, as there is nobody to limit this president from deciding that a third term is required, maybe for national security reasons?
Granted, there is still hope. There will be legislative votes next year which might create a new balance of power, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of parliament. There are elected officials who are trying to impose certain responsibility, such as lawmakers that are launching an investigation concerning the try to fund seizure from the justice department.
And a presidential election in the next cycle could initiate us down the road toward restoration just as last year’s election set us on this disappointing trajectory.
There are countless citizens protesting in public spaces throughout communities, similar to recent in the past days in the No Kings rallies.
Robert Reich, commented this week that “the slumbering force of America is rising”, similar to past following the Red Scare during the fifties or amid anti-war demonstrations or throughout the seventies crisis.
On those occasions, the listing ship finally returned to balance.
The author states he recognizes the signs of that awakening and sees it happening now. For proof, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united refusal by journalists to sign military mandates they solely cover approved content.
“The sleeping giant consistently stays asleep till certain corruption grows too toxic, an specific act so contemptuous toward public welfare, specific cruelty so disruptive, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”
It's a positive outlook, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.
Meanwhile, the crucial issues endure: is the US able to ever recover? Can it retrieve its standing globally and its devotion to the rule of law?
Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My cynical mind indicates that the second option is accurate; that everything could be gone. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.
For me, as a media critic, that’s about pushing media professionals to adhere, more completely, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For others, it might involve participating in election efforts, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to protect ballot privileges.
Less than a year ago, we were in a very different place. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to attempt to persevere.
What Offers Me Optimism Currently
The engagement I experience in the classroom with young journalists, who are equally idealistic and grounded, {always
