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In late October 2024, the environment was entirely separate. Before the US presidential election, considerate citizens could recognize America's deep flaws – its unfairness and disparity – yet they could still identify it as the US. A free society. A place where legal governance meant something. A nation led by a dignified and decent leader, despite his older age and declining health.

Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the nation we inhabit. People believed to be undocumented migrants are detained and forced into transport, at times refused legal rights. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being destroyed to build a lavish ballroom. The president is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and insisting the justice department hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are being sent across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Department of War, has practically freed itself of routine media oversight while it uses possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are yielding from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are regarded as members of the royal family.

“The United States, just months before its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the limit into autocracy and fascism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it occurred in this country.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, we know that Trump was properly voted in. Even after his highly troubling previous administration and even after the warnings linked to the understanding of Project 2025 – following the president personally said publicly he planned to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – a majority of citizens chose him over the other candidate.

While alarming as today's circumstances is, it’s even scarier to recognize that we have only been several months under this leadership. How will three more years of this downfall leave us? And what if the three years turns into something even longer, as there is not anyone to stop this ruler from deciding that a third term is necessary, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, all is not lost. We will have legislative votes the coming year which might bring a different balance of power, if Democrats recapture the Senate or House of the legislature. We have elected officials who are attempting to exert a degree of oversight, for example representatives who are starting a probe regarding the effort to money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in 2028 could start the path to recovery just as the prior selection put us on this regrettable path.

There exist millions of Americans protesting in urban areas throughout communities, as they did last weekend during anti-authority protests.

A former official, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the nation is stirring”, just as it did following the Red Scare during the fifties or amid the sixties activism or throughout the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and observes it occurring now. For proof, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to sign military mandates they report only approved content.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays dormant until some venality grows too toxic, an specific act so offensive toward public welfare, specific cruelty so noisy, that the giant is compelled except to rise.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

At the same time, the crucial issues persist: will the nation regain its footing? Can it reclaim its position globally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My cynical mind indicates that the second option is correct; that everything could be gone. My optimistic spirit, however, tells me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that’s about pushing media professionals to live up, more completely, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve working on election efforts, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.

Not even one year prior, we existed in an alternate reality. In the future? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to not give up.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I have during teaching with new media professionals, that are simultaneously hopeful and realistic, {always