The Tragic Change Just One Year Has Made in America
One year ago, the situation was completely distinct. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective Americans could acknowledge the nation's serious imperfections – its inequities and inequality – yet they could still see it as America. A free society. A place where the rule of law meant something. A state guided by a dignified and ethical official, despite his elderly years and declining health.
These days, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens hardly identify the country we reside in. Persons alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vehicles, at times blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition for an obscene dance hall. Donald Trump is targeting his opponents or alleged foes and demanding the justice department surrender a huge total of public funds. Armed military personnel are dispatched across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The Pentagon, relabeled the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses possibly reaching nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, law firms, news companies are buckling under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are regarded as nobility.
“The US, just months before its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the edge into autocracy and extremism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Ultimately, swifter than I imagined possible, it occurred in America.”
One awakes with fresh terrors. And it is challenging to understand – and painful to realize – how severely declined we are, and the speed at which it occurred.
Nevertheless, we know that Trump was properly voted in. Despite his profoundly alarming initial presidency and following the cautions associated with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – despite the leader directly declared plainly he would rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens elected him instead of his Democratic opponent.
As terrifying as the current reality is, it’s even scarier to recognize that we’re only three-quarters of a year under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this deterioration find us? And if that period turns into a more extended duration, because there is not anyone to limit this leader from opting that additional tenure is required, perhaps for national security reasons?
Certainly, all is not lost. There will be legislative votes next year that could establish an alternate balance of power, should Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. There are elected officials who are striving to exert a degree of oversight, such as representatives currently launching an investigation concerning the try to money grab from legal authorities.
And a national vote in 2028 could start us down the road toward restoration precisely as the prior selection set us on this regrettable path.
We see millions of Americans demonstrating in public spaces throughout communities, as they did recently in the No Kings rallies.
Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is awakening”, just as it did post-McCarthyism during the fifties or during anti-war demonstrations or throughout the seventies crisis.
During those times, the listing ship finally returned to balance.
Reich says he recognizes the signs of that revival and observes it occurring at present. As support, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, cross-party resistance against a personality's dismissal and the largely united rejection by reporters to sign the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.
“The sleeping giant consistently stays inactive until specific greed becomes so noxious, a particular deed so disrespectful of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that he is compelled except to rise.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will be validated.
Meanwhile, the major inquiries endure: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it reclaim its standing in the world and its commitment to the rule of law?
Or should we recognize that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My pessimistic brain tells me that the second option is accurate; that all may indeed be gone. My hopeful heart, nevertheless, advises me that we must try, through all methods available.
For me, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to adhere, more completely, to their mission of holding power to account. For others, it may be working on political races, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to defend electoral access.
Less than a year ago, we existed in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or three years from now? The fact is, we are uncertain. All we can do is to strive to persevere.
What Provides Me Hope Now
The contact I experience in the classroom with new media professionals, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always
