A Tragic Transformation a Single Year Has Caused in the US
In late October 2024, the environment was entirely distinct. Before the American presidential vote, considerate residents could recognize the nation's significant faults – its injustices and disparity – however they could still perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law meant something. A country guided by a honorable and decent leader, even with his advanced age and increasing frailty.
Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans hardly identify the country we live in. People alleged as undocumented migrants are detained and forced into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for a grotesque ballroom. The president is harassing his opponents or perceived antagonists and insisting federal prosecutors hand over an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, renamed the Department of War, has effectively liberated itself of routine media oversight as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Universities, law firms, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are treated like nobility.
“America, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink into authoritarianism and fascism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Finally, more quickly than I imagined possible, it occurred in America.”
Every morning starts with fresh terrors. It is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone our nation is, and the speed at which it has happened.
However, we know that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his profoundly alarming previous administration and following the alerts that came with the awareness of Project 2025 – despite Trump himself said publicly he planned to rule as a tyrant just on day one – enough Americans elected him instead of his Democratic opponent.
While alarming as today's circumstances may be, it’s even scarier to understand that we’re only nine months into this presidential term. Where will an additional three years of this downfall leave us? And if that period transforms into something even longer, since there is nobody to limit this president from deciding that a third term is required, perhaps for defense purposes?
Granted, all is not lost. We will have midterm elections the coming year which might bring a different governmental control, should Democrats regain the Senate or House of the legislature. There are government representatives who are trying to impose a degree of oversight, such as lawmakers currently launching an investigation into the attempted cash appropriation from the justice department.
And a national vote three years from now could begin our journey to healing precisely as last year’s election put us on this unfortunate course.
We see millions of Americans demonstrating in public spaces throughout communities, as they did recently during anti-authority protests.
An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of America is stirring”, exactly as before following the Red Scare during the fifties or during the Vietnam war protests or throughout the seventies crisis.
In those instances, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.
He claims he knows the indicators of that resurgence and sees it happening now. As support, he references the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition regarding a television host's removal and the largely united defiance by media to sign the defense department’s demands they solely cover authorized information.
“The dormant force always remains inactive till certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so contemptuous toward public welfare, specific cruelty so loud, that he is forced except to rise.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may prove to be right.
Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: will the nation ever recover? Is it possible to restore its status internationally and its devotion to the rule of law?
Or must we acknowledge that the historical project worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My cynical mind suggests that the latter is correct; that all may indeed be gone. My hopeful heart, nevertheless, tells me that we need to strive, through all methods possible.
For me, as a media critic, that’s about urging journalists to live up, more thoroughly, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For others, it may be participating in political races, or coordinating protests, or developing approaches to defend voting rights.
Under twelve months back, we lived in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to attempt to persevere.
What Provides Me Hope Now
The contact I experience with students with young journalists, who are equally hopeful and grounded, {always
