The Tragic Change Just One Year Has Caused in America
Twelve months back, the environment was entirely distinct. Ahead of the US presidential election, thoughtful residents could recognize the country's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – however they still could see it as the United States. A free society. A country where the rule of law held significance. A state guided by a respectable and upright official, despite his elderly years and declining health.
These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the nation we live in. Individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vans, sometimes denied due process. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for an obscene ballroom. The president is targeting his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding legal authorities surrender an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, relabeled the War Department, has practically liberated itself of routine media oversight as it spends what could amount to nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are yielding from leader's menaces, and billionaires are treated like members of the royal family.
“The United States, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the edge toward dictatorship and extremism,” Garrett Graff, stated in August. “Ultimately, faster than I believed likely, it occurred here.”
Every morning starts to new horrors. It is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.
Nevertheless, we know that the leader was duly elected. Even after his highly troubling initial presidency and even after the warnings that came with the understanding of the conservative plan – following the president personally said publicly he would rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens selected him rather than Kamala Harris.
While alarming as the present situation may be, it's more daunting to realize that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. Where will three more years of this deterioration leave us? And what if that period becomes an prolonged era, because there is not anyone to stop this leader from determining that a third term is essential, possibly for security concerns?
Admittedly, there is still hope. There are legislative votes next year that could bring a different political equilibrium, if Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. There exist public servants who are striving to apply a degree of oversight, for example lawmakers that are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to cash appropriation from the justice department.
And a national vote three years from now could start the path toward restoration exactly as the previous vote placed us on this regrettable path.
We see millions of Americans marching in urban areas of their cities, like they performed in the past days in the No Kings rallies.
Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of America is awakening”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism during the fifties or amid the sixties activism or throughout the seventies crisis.
In those instances, the unstable nation eventually was righted.
He claims he understands the signals of that revival and notices it unfolding currently. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united defiance by media to sign government requirements they report only approved content.
“The slumbering entity consistently stays dormant till certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so offensive of the common good, some brutality so noisy, that the giant has no choice but to awaken.”
It's a positive outlook, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will be validated.
In the meantime, the crucial issues endure: can America regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its status in the world and its adherence to legal principles?
Or should we recognize that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My cynical mind tells me that the latter is true; that all may indeed be finished. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we must try, by any means possible.
For me, working in journalism analysis, that’s about encouraging reporters to commit, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For others, it may be working on political races, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to protect voting rights.
Less than a year ago, we lived in an alternate reality. In the future? Or after another term? The fact is, we don’t know. All we can do is try to persevere.
What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I have in the classroom with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously hopeful and practical, {always
