The Heartbreaking Change Just One Year Has Caused in the US
One year ago, the situation was entirely different. Ahead of the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the country's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – however they continued to identify it as America. A democratic nation. A land where constitutional order meant something. A country guided by a dignified and decent official, notwithstanding his elderly years and growing weakness.
These days, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens hardly identify the nation we inhabit. People suspected of being illegal immigrants are rounded up and forced into vehicles, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque event space. Donald Trump is harassing his opponents or perceived antagonists and requesting the justice department hand over an enormous amount of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are being sent to US urban areas on false pretexts. The Pentagon, relabeled the Department of War, has – in effect – rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of what could amount to almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are handled as nobility.
“The US, just months before its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the edge into autocracy and totalitarianism,” an American historian, commented in August. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it transpired here.”
One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we are, and the speed at which it unfolded.
However, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Following his highly troubling first term and following the cautions that came with the knowledge of Project 2025 – despite Trump himself said publicly he planned to rule as a tyrant just on day one – sufficient voters selected him rather than the other candidate.
Frightening as the present situation may be, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just several months into this administration. How will three more years of this deterioration leave us? And what if that timeframe transforms into an prolonged era, because there is no one to limit this ruler from opting that additional tenure is required, maybe for national security reasons?
Certainly, all is not lost. We will have midterm elections next year that may establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats recapture either chamber of Congress. There exist public servants who are attempting to impose certain responsibility, such as Democratic congressmen that are launching an investigation regarding the effort to cash appropriation from the justice department.
And a presidential election three years from now could begin our journey toward restoration exactly as last year’s election put us on this regrettable path.
We see countless citizens demonstrating in the streets of their cities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.
Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is stirring”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism in that decade or throughout the Vietnam war protests or in the seventies crisis.
In those instances, the unstable nation eventually was righted.
He claims he knows the signals of that awakening and observes it occurring currently. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the broad, cross-party resistance regarding a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to sign government requirements they report only authorized information.
“The dormant force consistently stays asleep till certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so offensive of the common good, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he is forced other than to stir.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will prove to be right.
Meanwhile, the big questions remain: can America ever recover? Can it reclaim its position in the world and its adherence to the rule of law?
Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?
My pessimistic brain suggests that the second option is accurate; that all may indeed be gone. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that means urging journalists to commit, more completely, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it could mean working on political races, or coordinating protests, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.
Under twelve months back, we existed in a very different place. A year from now? Or after another term? The truth is, we don’t know. Our sole course is to attempt to persevere.
What Offers Me Hope Now
The engagement I have with students with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always
