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In late October 2024, the landscape was utterly different. Prior to the US presidential election, considerate Americans could recognize the nation's deep flaws – its inequities and imbalance – yet they continued to see it as America. A democratic nation. A place where legal governance carried weight. A state guided by a respectable and upright official, notwithstanding his advanced age and declining health.

Nowadays, in late October 2025, countless Americans hardly identify the land we inhabit. People believed to be undocumented migrants are rounded up and pushed into vans, occasionally refused legal rights. The left side of the presidential residence – is being torn down to build a lavish dance hall. The president is harassing his political rivals or alleged foes and insisting federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – liberated itself of regular press examination while it uses possibly reaching nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are handled as nobility.

“The United States, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the limit toward dictatorship and extremism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Finally, more quickly than I thought feasible, it occurred here.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. It is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – just how far gone our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Yet, we know that the leader was duly elected. Even after his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the cautions linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite the president personally declared plainly he would act as an autocrat just on day one – sufficient voters selected him instead of his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as the current reality may be, it's more frightening to realize that we are just three-quarters of a year into this administration. What will three more years of this deterioration position us? And what if the three years turns into an prolonged era, since there is not anyone to limit this leader from deciding that another term is necessary, possibly for security concerns?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. There are midterm elections in 2026 that could bring a different governmental control, if Democrats regain one or both houses of parliament. There are government representatives who are trying to impose some accountability, such as representatives who are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab from the justice department.

And a presidential election three years from now could start our journey toward restoration just as the prior selection placed us on this regrettable path.

There are millions of Americans demonstrating in urban areas across municipalities, like they performed last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is stirring”, just as it did post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or amid the sixties activism or during the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

Reich says he recognizes the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he points to the widespread marches, the broad, cross-party resistance against a television host's removal and the almost universal rejection by reporters to accept military mandates they report only what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force perpetually exists asleep before specific greed becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful of societal benefit, certain violence so noisy, that he has no choice except to rise.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may prove to be right.

In the meantime, the major inquiries remain: can America return to normalcy? Is it possible to restore its position globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts suggests that the second option is true; that all may indeed be gone. My optimistic spirit, however, tells me that we must try, by any means possible.

For me, as an observer of the press, that means urging journalists to adhere, more completely, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For others, it could mean working on political races, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to safeguard voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we were in an alternate reality. In the future? Or after another term? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to continue fighting.

What Provides Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I encounter with students with young journalists, who are both hopeful and realistic, {always