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In late October 2024, the situation was utterly distinct. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective Americans could recognize the nation's serious imperfections – its injustices and inequality – but they still could identify it as the United States. A democratic nation. A country where legal governance carried weight. A nation headed by a respectable and decent official, despite his advanced age and growing weakness.

These days, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens scarcely know the land we inhabit. Persons suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and shoved into transport, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the White House – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The president is targeting his opponents or perceived antagonists and demanding federal prosecutors surrender an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, renamed the Department of War, has practically rid itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, news companies are buckling under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as nobility.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the brink into autocracy and extremism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Yet, we know that Trump was legitimately chosen. Even after his profoundly alarming first term and following the warnings that came with the knowledge of Project 2025 – following the president personally stated openly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him instead of the other candidate.

Frightening as today's circumstances are, it's more frightening to realize that we are just several months into this presidential term. How will another 36 months of this downfall position us? And if the three years transforms into something even longer, since there is not anyone to limit this ruler from deciding that another term is necessary, possibly for security concerns?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. There will be midterm elections in 2026 which might establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. There are public servants who are trying to impose certain responsibility, for example representatives currently starting a probe concerning the try to money grab from the justice department.

And a leadership election three years from now could begin the path to recovery exactly as the previous vote placed us on this unfortunate course.

There are millions of Americans demonstrating in public spaces of their cities, similar to recent in the past days during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the US is stirring”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism during the fifties or during the sixties activism or during the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.

He claims he knows the signals of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists dormant until certain corruption grows too toxic, an specific act so offensive toward public welfare, specific cruelty so noisy, that he is forced other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may be validated.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: can America regain its footing? Can it retrieve its status internationally and its devotion to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My cynical mind tells me that the latter is correct; that everything could be gone. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, advises me that we have to attempt, by any means available.

Personally, as a media critic, that’s about pushing media professionals to commit, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For some people, it may be working on political races, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to protect electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we were in a very different place. In the future? Or three years from now? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to attempt to persevere.

What Provides Me Hope Now

The engagement I encounter in the classroom with new media professionals, that are simultaneously idealistic and practical, {always