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In late October 2024, the environment was completely different. Before the American presidential vote, reflective citizens could recognize the country's deep flaws – its injustices and inequality – yet they still could see it as the US. A free society. A country where legal governance carried weight. A state led by a dignified and upright leader, notwithstanding his older age and declining health.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, many of us scarcely know the nation we live in. Persons believed to be illegal immigrants are rounded up and pushed into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish ballroom. Donald Trump is targeting his political rivals or supposed enemies and requesting federal prosecutors hand over a huge total of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – liberated itself of regular press examination as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are regarded as members of the royal family.

“America, just months before its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Finally, swifter than I thought feasible, it occurred here.”

Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. And it's challenging to understand – and painful to realize – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Nevertheless, we understand that the president was duly elected. Even after his profoundly alarming initial presidency and despite the cautions associated with the understanding of Project 2025 – even after the president personally declared plainly he planned to act as an autocrat only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him over the other candidate.

As terrifying as the current reality is, it's more daunting to realize that we’re only nine months into this presidential term. How will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And what if that period transforms into an prolonged era, as there is nobody to stop this ruler from opting that a third term is essential, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, all is not lost. There are legislative votes next year that could bring a different political equilibrium, in case Democrats retake either chamber of the legislature. There exist public servants who are attempting to exert certain responsibility, like Democratic congressmen that are starting a probe regarding the effort to fund seizure from the justice department.

And a presidential election in 2028 could start our journey to recovery just as the previous vote placed us on this unfortunate course.

There exist numerous residents protesting in the streets throughout communities, similar to recent recently during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or amid the sixties activism or during the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

The author states he knows the indicators of that resurgence and observes it occurring now. For proof, he cites the recent massive protests, the widespread, cross-party resistance against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to accept government requirements they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays inactive before specific greed becomes so noxious, some action so contemptuous of societal benefit, specific cruelty so noisy, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will be validated.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues endure: can America ever recover? Can it retrieve its standing globally and its commitment to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind tells me that the latter is true; that everything could be finished. My optimistic spirit, however, tells me that we need to strive, by any means we can.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more fully, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it may be working on congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or after another term? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is to strive to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The contact I encounter with students with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and grounded, {always