A Tragic Shift Only 12 Months Has Made in the US
Twelve months back, the situation was entirely separate. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and imbalance – yet they could still perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law meant something. A state headed by a honorable and ethical leader, even with his advanced age and increasing frailty.
These days, as October 2025 ends, many of us scarcely know the country we inhabit. Persons alleged as unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and forced into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the White House – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. Donald Trump is harassing his opponents or alleged foes and requesting federal prosecutors surrender an enormous amount of public funds. Uniformed troops are dispatched across metropolitan centers with deceptive justifications. The military command, relabeled the War Department, has practically liberated itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of potentially totaling nearly $1tn in public funds. Colleges, law firms, media outlets are buckling from leader's menaces, and billionaires are regarded as nobility.
“The US, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the brink into authoritarianism and fascism,” Garrett Graff, wrote in August. “Finally, faster than I thought feasible, it did happen in America.”
Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost our nation is, and how quickly it has happened.
However, we know that the president was legitimately chosen. Following his profoundly alarming previous administration and despite the warnings that came with the knowledge of Project 2025 – even after the leader directly stated openly he intended to act as an autocrat solely at the start – a majority of citizens elected him over his Democratic opponent.
While alarming as the present situation are, it’s even scarier to recognize that we’re only nine months into this presidential term. Where will an additional three years of this decline position us? And suppose that timeframe becomes something even longer, because there is not anyone to restrain this ruler from determining that a third term is essential, possibly for security concerns?
Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There will be congressional elections in 2026 which might create a new balance of power, should Democrats recapture either chamber of Congress. There exist public servants who are attempting to impose a degree of oversight, like Democratic congressmen who are starting a probe into the attempted fund seizure from legal authorities.
And a leadership election in the next cycle could start our journey toward restoration just as last year’s election set us on this unfortunate course.
There exist countless citizens protesting in public spaces throughout communities, like they performed in the past days during anti-authority protests.
An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the slumbering force of America is awakening”, similar to past following the Red Scare in that decade or amid the sixties activism or in the Nixon controversy.
On those occasions, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.
The author states he understands the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, bipartisan pushback against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to accept the defense department’s demands they report only what is sanctioned.
“The dormant force perpetually exists dormant before certain corruption becomes so noxious, a particular deed so offensive of the common good, specific cruelty so noisy, that he is compelled except to rise.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may prove to be right.
Meanwhile, the major inquiries endure: can America ever recover? Can it retrieve its standing in the world and its commitment to legal principles?
Or should we recognize that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?
My negative thoughts indicates that the second option is true; that everything could be gone. My optimistic spirit, though, tells me that we need to strive, through all methods possible.
For me, as a media critic, that means encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their purpose of holding power to account. For some people, it may be participating in election efforts, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to protect voting rights.
Less than a year ago, we lived in a separate situation. A year from now? Or three years from now? The truth is, we don’t know. Our sole course is try to persevere.
What Offers Me Encouragement Today
The engagement I encounter with students with new media professionals, who are equally visionary and realistic, {always
