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Twelve months back, the landscape was entirely different. Before the national election, considerate citizens could acknowledge the country's significant faults – its unfairness and disparity – yet they continued to see it as the United States. A democracy. A place where legal governance meant something. A state led by a dignified and upright leader, despite his advanced age and increasing frailty.

These days, in late October 2025, many of us scarcely know the land we reside in. Persons believed to be illegal immigrants are collected and shoved into vans, occasionally denied due process. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being torn down for a grotesque dance hall. Donald Trump is persecuting his opponents or alleged foes and requesting the justice department hand over a huge total of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched to US urban areas on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses possibly reaching nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, news companies are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the limit into authoritarianism and fascism,” a noted author, wrote recently. “Ultimately, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen here.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. It is challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Despite his highly troubling previous administration and even after the cautions linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following the leader directly declared plainly he intended to be a dictator solely at the start – a majority of citizens chose him instead of his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as the present situation are, it's more daunting to recognize that we’re only nine months under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this deterioration find us? And suppose the three years transforms into an prolonged era, because there is no one to limit this ruler from opting that a third term is required, perhaps for defense purposes?

Granted, all is not lost. There will be legislative votes in 2026 that could create a new governmental control, should Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. There are public servants who are attempting to exert certain responsibility, for example lawmakers currently initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote three years from now could begin our journey to healing precisely as last year’s election placed us on this unfortunate course.

There exist numerous residents marching in urban areas of their cities, similar to recent recently at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of the nation is rising”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism during the fifties or amid anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

The author states he understands the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding at present. As support, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the almost universal rejection by reporters to agree to government requirements they report only approved content.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive until specific greed turns extremely harmful, an specific act so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so noisy, that he has no choice but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will be validated.

At the same time, the major inquiries persist: can America regain its footing? Can it retrieve its position globally and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My pessimistic brain indicates that the final scenario is true; that everything could be finished. My hopeful heart, however, tells me that we must try, through all methods possible.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that involves pushing media professionals to adhere, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For others, it may be working on election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to protect voting rights.

Not even one year prior, we were in a separate situation. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we are uncertain. All we can do is try to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I experience in the classroom with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and realistic, {always