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One year ago, the landscape was entirely distinct. Before the American presidential vote, considerate residents could admit the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and inequality – however they continued to identify it as the United States. A free society. A land where the rule of law held significance. A state guided by a dignified and decent leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and growing weakness.

These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the land we reside in. People alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and forced into vehicles, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The president is harassing his opponents or supposed enemies and demanding legal authorities hand over a massive sum of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The Pentagon, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight as it spends what could amount to close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are yielding under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like members of the royal family.

“The US, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the brink toward dictatorship and fascism,” an American historian, stated in August. “Ultimately, swifter than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – how severely declined we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Following his deeply disturbing first term and even after the cautions associated with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – even after the leader directly stated openly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him over Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the current reality is, it's more daunting to realize that we are just three-quarters of a year under this leadership. What will an additional three years of this deterioration find us? And suppose that period becomes a more extended duration, since there is no one to restrain this ruler from deciding that additional tenure is required, possibly for defense purposes?

Admittedly, all is not lost. We will have legislative votes next year which might bring a different governmental control, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of parliament. There exist government representatives who are attempting to exert certain responsibility, like Democratic congressmen that are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to money grab from legal authorities.

And a national vote in the next cycle could start our journey toward restoration exactly as the previous vote set us on this unfortunate course.

We see numerous residents demonstrating in public spaces throughout communities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is rising”, exactly as before following the Red Scare during the fifties or throughout the sixties activism or in the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that resurgence and notices it unfolding now. For proof, he points to the recent massive protests, the broad, cross-party resistance regarding a television host's removal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they report only approved content.

“The slumbering entity always remains inactive till certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so contemptuous of the common good, certain violence so noisy, that it is forced other than to stir.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues remain: will the nation return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its devotion to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the second option is accurate; that everything might be gone. My hopeful heart, however, tells me that we must try, in whatever ways available.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that involves pushing media professionals to live up, more thoroughly, to their duty of overseeing leadership. For some people, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to safeguard ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we lived in an alternate reality. In the future? Or in several years? The truth is, we don’t know. All we can do is try to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I encounter with students with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and practical, {always