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In late October 2024, the landscape was completely distinct. Before the American presidential vote, considerate residents could recognize the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and disparity – however they could still identify it as the US. A democratic nation. A country where constitutional order carried weight. A state guided by a dignified and decent leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and increasing frailty.

Currently, in late October 2025, countless Americans hardly identify the land we reside in. Individuals alleged as illegal immigrants are rounded up and pushed into transport, sometimes refused legal rights. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for an obscene ballroom. The leader is targeting his opponents or perceived antagonists and requesting federal prosecutors hand over a huge total of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, renamed the Department of War, has practically freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Colleges, law firms, journalism organizations are yielding under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like aristocracy.

“America, just months before its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” a noted author, commented recently. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it occurred here.”

Every morning starts to new horrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Nevertheless, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Even after his highly troubling initial presidency and despite the cautions linked to the knowledge of Project 2025 – even after the president personally stated openly he would be a dictator just on day one – a majority of citizens selected him rather than his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as today's circumstances may be, it’s even scarier to recognize that we’re only nine months under this leadership. How will three more years of this decline position us? And suppose that period transforms into something even longer, as there is no one to restrain this president from deciding that another term is necessary, possibly for national security reasons?

Granted, all is not lost. There are midterm elections the coming year that may bring a different governmental control, in case Democrats regain one or both houses of Congress. There exist government representatives who are striving to apply certain responsibility, like Democratic congressmen that are initiating an inquiry into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.

And a national vote in the next cycle could begin the path to recovery just as last year’s election put us on this unfortunate course.

There are millions of Americans protesting in the streets across municipalities, similar to recent recently at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in that decade or throughout anti-war demonstrations or during the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he understands the indicators of that resurgence and observes it occurring now. As support, he cites the recent massive protests, the extensive, cross-party resistance against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to accept government requirements they report only what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity always remains inactive until specific greed grows too toxic, some action so disrespectful of societal benefit, some brutality so noisy, that it has no choice but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will be validated.

At the same time, the big questions persist: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position globally and its adherence to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment worked for a while, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My cynical mind indicates that the final scenario is accurate; that everything might be finished. My positive feelings, though, convinces me that we have to attempt, through all methods available.

For me, working in journalism analysis, that involves pushing media professionals to adhere, more fully, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it could mean participating in election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to protect ballot privileges.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a very different place. In the future? Or in several years? The reality is, we are uncertain. All we can do is try to not give up.

What Provides Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I have during teaching with aspiring reporters, who are both hopeful and grounded, {always