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In late October 2024, the situation was entirely distinct. Before the US presidential election, thoughtful citizens could recognize the country's serious imperfections – its unfairness and inequality – however they still could see it as the United States. A free society. A place where constitutional order held significance. A country led by a dignified and ethical public servant, even with his elderly years and growing weakness.

These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans barely recognize the country we inhabit. People believed to be unauthorized foreigners are detained and shoved into vans, at times denied due process. The left side of the White House – is being torn down for a grotesque dance hall. Donald Trump is persecuting his adversaries or alleged foes and requesting legal authorities surrender an enormous amount of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight as it spends possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Institutions, legal practices, media outlets are submitting from leader's menaces, and billionaires are regarded as aristocracy.

“The United States, just months before its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and fascism,” an American historian, wrote recently. “Ultimately, more quickly than I believed likely, it transpired in this country.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost our nation is, and how quickly it occurred.

Nevertheless, we know that Trump was duly elected. Despite his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the warnings that came with the awareness of Project 2025 – following the leader directly stated openly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans elected him rather than the other candidate.

While alarming as the current reality is, it's more daunting to understand that we’re only several months into this administration. What will three more years of this downfall leave us? And if that period turns into a more extended duration, since there is no one to restrain this leader from determining that additional tenure is required, perhaps for security concerns?

Certainly, there is still hope. There are legislative votes in 2026 which might create a new balance of power, should Democrats regain either chamber of parliament. There exist public servants who are trying to apply a degree of oversight, such as lawmakers that are launching an investigation regarding the effort to cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a national vote in 2028 could initiate us down the road to recovery precisely as the previous vote placed us on this regrettable path.

There are countless citizens protesting in the streets across municipalities, similar to recent recently during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the slumbering force of America is stirring”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in the 1950s or amid the Vietnam war protests or throughout the seventies crisis.

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

Reich says he recognizes the indicators of that resurgence and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he cites the recent massive protests, the extensive, bipartisan pushback against a personality's dismissal and the largely united rejection by reporters to agree to military mandates they solely cover authorized information.

“The dormant force perpetually exists asleep till specific greed grows too toxic, a particular deed so offensive of societal benefit, certain violence so loud, that the giant has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the big questions endure: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it reclaim its status in the world and its devotion to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is true; that all may indeed be finished. My hopeful heart, nevertheless, tells me that we must try, by any means we can.

For me, working in journalism analysis, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more completely, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it may be participating in political races, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to safeguard voting rights.

Not even one year prior, we were in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or in several years? The reality is, we are uncertain. All we can do is try to not give up.

What Provides Me Optimism Currently

The contact I experience in the classroom with aspiring reporters, who are both idealistic and practical, {always