The Tragic Transformation a Single Year Has Caused in the United States
One year ago, the environment was completely distinct. Before the US presidential election, considerate Americans could admit the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – but they could still identify it as America. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order carried weight. A nation led by a dignified and upright official, even with his elderly years and increasing frailty.
These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans hardly identify the nation we reside in. Persons believed to be unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and shoved into transport, sometimes denied due process. The East Wing of the White House – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish ballroom. The president is harassing his political rivals or alleged foes and requesting legal authorities hand over a huge total of public funds. Armed military personnel are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – freed itself of regular press examination as it spends possibly reaching close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Universities, legal practices, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are regarded as nobility.
“The US, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the edge toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated in August. “Finally, faster than I thought feasible, it occurred here.”
One awakes to new horrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.
Yet, it is known that Trump was duly elected. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and even after the cautions linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – even after Trump himself stated openly he would be a dictator solely at the start – a majority of citizens chose him instead of the other candidate.
Frightening as the current reality is, it’s even scarier to realize that we’re only nine months under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this downfall leave us? And suppose the three years transforms into something even longer, as there is nobody to limit this leader from determining that a third term is essential, maybe for defense purposes?
Admittedly, there is still hope. We will have congressional elections next year which might establish an alternate governmental control, if Democrats recapture the Senate or House of Congress. There exist elected officials who are trying to apply certain responsibility, for example representatives currently launching an investigation concerning the try to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.
And a presidential election in the next cycle could begin our journey toward restoration exactly as last year’s election placed us on this disappointing trajectory.
We see millions of Americans marching in public spaces across municipalities, similar to recent in the past days in the No Kings rallies.
A former official, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of the nation is awakening”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or amid anti-war demonstrations or during the Watergate scandal.
In those instances, the listing ship finally returned to balance.
Reich says he knows the indicators of that resurgence and observes it occurring at present. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the broad, cross-party resistance to a personality's dismissal and the almost universal defiance by media to agree to military mandates they report only approved content.
“The slumbering entity always remains dormant till specific greed becomes so noxious, an specific act so offensive toward public welfare, certain violence so disruptive, that the giant is forced other than to stir.”
It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.
Meanwhile, the big questions persist: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its standing internationally and its commitment to the rule of law?
Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My cynical mind tells me that the final scenario is true; that everything might be gone. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we need to strive, by any means possible.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to commit, more completely, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it might involve working on election efforts, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to safeguard ballot privileges.
Under twelve months back, we existed in a separate situation. A year from now? Or three years from now? The truth is, we don’t know. Our sole course is to attempt to continue fighting.
What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I experience during teaching with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously visionary and realistic, {always
