The Devastating Change Just One Year Has Made in America
In late October 2024, the landscape was completely distinct. Ahead of the American presidential vote, reflective residents could acknowledge the nation's serious imperfections – its injustices and inequality – however they still could see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A country where constitutional order meant something. A state headed by a honorable and upright leader, even with his elderly years and increasing frailty.
These days, in late October 2025, many of us scarcely know the nation we reside in. Individuals believed to be illegal immigrants are rounded up and forced into vehicles, occasionally denied due process. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish dance hall. The president is persecuting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and insisting legal authorities hand over a massive sum of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, renamed the Defense Ministry, has effectively liberated itself of regular press examination as it spends potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are treated like aristocracy.
“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge into autocracy and extremism,” Garrett Graff, wrote recently. “In the end, faster than I imagined possible, it did happen in this country.”
Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. And it's challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we have become, and how quickly it unfolded.
Yet, it is known that the president was legitimately chosen. Following his highly troubling initial presidency and even after the alerts associated with the awareness of Project 2025 – following the president personally declared plainly he would be a dictator just on day one – enough Americans selected him rather than Kamala Harris.
As terrifying as today's circumstances may be, it's more daunting to realize that we are just nine months into this administration. How will three more years of this deterioration position us? And if that timeframe turns into a more extended duration, since there is not anyone to restrain this leader from opting that another term is necessary, maybe for national security reasons?
Certainly, there is still hope. There will be midterm elections next year that could bring a different governmental control, should Democrats recapture the Senate or House of the legislature. We have elected officials who are striving to impose some accountability, for example Democratic congressmen currently starting a probe regarding the effort to money grab by federal prosecutors.
And a presidential election in 2028 could start our journey to healing exactly as last year’s election put us on this unfortunate course.
We see millions of Americans marching in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.
An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare in that decade or during the sixties activism or during the seventies crisis.
In those instances, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.
He claims he recognizes the signs of that revival and sees it happening at present. As support, he references the widespread marches, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to accept government requirements they report only approved content.
“The sleeping giant consistently stays inactive before certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so offensive toward public welfare, some brutality so disruptive, that he is forced other than to stir.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may be validated.
At the same time, the crucial issues endure: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position globally 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 cynical mind indicates that the final scenario is accurate; that everything might be gone. My positive feelings, however, advises me that we must try, in whatever ways available.
For me, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to adhere, more fully, to their duty of overseeing leadership. For some people, it may be working on congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to defend voting rights.
Under twelve months back, we existed in a very different place. A year from now? Or in several years? The fact is, we don’t know. Our sole course is to attempt to persevere.
What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently
The contact I encounter with students with young journalists, who are equally hopeful and grounded, {always
