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In late October 2024, the environment was completely separate. Prior to the US presidential election, thoughtful Americans could admit America's deep flaws – its unfairness and inequality – yet they could still see it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order carried weight. A state led by a honorable and upright leader, notwithstanding his elderly years and growing weakness.

These days, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens scarcely know the nation we inhabit. Individuals believed to be unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and forced into vehicles, at times denied due process. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is being torn down for a grotesque ballroom. Donald Trump is persecuting his political rivals or alleged foes and requesting federal prosecutors hand over a huge total of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the War Department, has practically liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends what could amount to almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and billionaires are regarded as members of the royal family.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and extremism,” Garrett Graff, commented recently. “Finally, more quickly than I thought feasible, it did happen here.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – how severely declined we have become, and the speed at which it has happened.

However, we know that the president was legitimately chosen. Even after his highly troubling first term and following the cautions linked to the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – even after Trump himself stated openly he intended to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters elected him rather than Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as the current reality are, it's more daunting to realize that we have only been three-quarters of a year under this leadership. Where will an additional three years of this decline find us? And suppose that period turns into something even longer, since there is not anyone to limit this ruler from determining that another term is necessary, maybe for national security reasons?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There will be congressional elections in 2026 that may establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats recapture either chamber of Congress. There are government representatives who are striving to exert a degree of oversight, for example representatives that are starting a probe concerning the try to money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could initiate the path toward restoration just as last year’s election set us on this unfortunate course.

There are countless citizens protesting in urban areas throughout communities, like they performed last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, just as it did following the Red Scare in that decade or amid the Vietnam war protests or during the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.

He claims he recognizes the indicators of that revival and sees it happening now. As evidence, he references the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, cross-party resistance to a television host's removal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive till specific greed turns extremely harmful, an specific act so contemptuous of the common good, specific cruelty so loud, that it is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may be validated.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it retrieve its standing in the world and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or must we acknowledge that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My pessimistic brain indicates that the latter is true; that all may indeed be lost. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we have to attempt, through all methods possible.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that’s about urging journalists to commit, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For others, it might involve engaging with election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to protect voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we lived in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to strive to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I experience in the classroom with young journalists, that are simultaneously visionary and grounded, {always