A Tragic Shift a Single Year Has Brought in the United States
In late October 2024, the environment was utterly separate. Prior to the US presidential election, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the nation's serious imperfections – its unfairness and imbalance – yet they continued to perceive it as America. A democracy. A land where constitutional order meant something. A country guided by a honorable and decent leader, even with his older age and growing weakness.
These days, in late October 2025, many of us scarcely know the country we live in. Persons alleged as illegal immigrants are rounded up and pushed into vehicles, at times blocked from fair treatment. The left side of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The leader is persecuting his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding the justice department hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are deployed across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, rebranded the War Department, has practically liberated itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Universities, legal practices, news companies are buckling from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are handled as nobility.
“America, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the brink toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Ultimately, faster than I believed likely, it transpired in this country.”
One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we are, and the speed at which it occurred.
Nevertheless, it is known that Trump was duly elected. Following his profoundly alarming first term and despite the alerts that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – despite Trump himself said publicly he planned to rule as a tyrant just on day one – enough Americans selected him instead of Kamala Harris.
While alarming as the current reality are, it’s even scarier to understand that we’re only several months under this leadership. What will another 36 months of this downfall leave us? And suppose that period becomes something even longer, since there is not anyone to limit this ruler from deciding that another term is essential, perhaps for national security reasons?
Granted, there is still hope. There are congressional elections the coming year that may establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats recapture either chamber of the legislature. We have public servants who are attempting to apply certain responsibility, such as Democratic congressmen who are starting a probe into the attempted money grab from the justice department.
And a national vote in the next cycle could begin us down the road to healing just as last year’s election set us on this unfortunate course.
There are countless citizens protesting in the streets across municipalities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.
A former official, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or during the sixties activism or during the seventies crisis.
In those instances, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.
Reich says he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and observes it occurring at present. For proof, he cites the recent massive protests, the extensive, bipartisan pushback to a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous defiance by media to sign government requirements they report only authorized information.
“The sleeping giant always remains asleep till some venality grows too toxic, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, some brutality so noisy, that he has no choice but to awaken.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may prove to be right.
Meanwhile, the big questions remain: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its commitment to the rule of law?
Or should we recognize that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My negative thoughts tells me that the final scenario is accurate; that everything could be gone. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we must try, in whatever ways available.
For me, working in journalism analysis, that means pushing media professionals to commit, more fully, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve participating in election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard voting rights.
Less than a year ago, we lived in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The fact is, we cannot predict. All we can do is try to persevere.
What Provides Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I have with students with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and practical, {always
