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In late October 2024, the situation was utterly distinct. Ahead of the US presidential election, reflective Americans could recognize America's deep flaws – its injustices and imbalance – however they could still see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law carried weight. A state headed by a honorable and ethical leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and declining health.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, many of us hardly identify the country we inhabit. Persons believed to be undocumented migrants are detained and shoved into transport, at times denied due process. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. The leader is persecuting his opponents or alleged foes and demanding the justice department hand over a massive sum of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has effectively rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are treated like members of the royal family.

“The United States, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the limit toward dictatorship and fascism,” a noted author, stated recently. “In the end, more quickly than I believed likely, it did happen here.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we are, and the speed at which it unfolded.

Nevertheless, we understand that Trump was duly elected. Following his profoundly alarming initial presidency and despite the alerts associated with the awareness of the conservative plan – even after Trump himself stated openly he intended to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – enough Americans selected him instead of the other candidate.

While alarming as the present situation is, it's more frightening to understand that we are just nine months into this administration. Where will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And if the three years becomes something even longer, since there is not anyone to stop this president from determining that another term is necessary, possibly for security concerns?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There are legislative votes the coming year that may establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats regain one or both houses of the legislature. There are public servants who are trying to impose a degree of oversight, for example representatives who are launching an investigation into the attempted money grab from the justice department.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could begin the path toward restoration just as the previous vote placed us on this regrettable path.

There exist countless citizens protesting in the streets of their cities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the US is rising”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in the 1950s or during the sixties activism or in the Nixon controversy.

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

The author states he recognizes the signals of that revival and sees it happening at present. As evidence, he references the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, bipartisan pushback regarding a personality's dismissal and the almost universal rejection by reporters to accept military mandates they solely cover authorized information.

“The dormant force perpetually exists inactive before some venality turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so offensive toward public welfare, certain violence so disruptive, that the giant is forced but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will prove to be right.

Meanwhile, the big questions endure: can America regain its footing? Can it retrieve its standing in the world and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the second option is correct; that everything might be finished. My hopeful heart, nevertheless, convinces me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

Personally, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to commit, more fully, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For others, it may be working on congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to safeguard electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we don’t know. The only option is to attempt to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The contact I have with students with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and practical, {always