A Devastating Transformation Just One Year Has Caused in the United States
In late October 2024, the landscape was completely separate. Before the US presidential election, considerate Americans could acknowledge America's serious imperfections – its unfairness and disparity – however they could still see it as the US. A free society. A land where constitutional order meant something. A nation headed by a respectable and ethical public servant, despite his elderly years and declining health.
These days, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans scarcely know the land we inhabit. Persons suspected of being illegal immigrants are rounded up and pushed into vehicles, sometimes denied due process. The left side of the White House – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The president is harassing his opponents or alleged foes and demanding the justice department hand over a massive sum of public funds. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, relabeled the War Department, has practically liberated itself of regular press examination as it spends potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Colleges, attorney offices, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are regarded as nobility.
“America, only a few months ahead of its 250th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the brink toward dictatorship and fascism,” an American historian, stated this past summer. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it occurred here.”
Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.
Yet, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Following his profoundly alarming first term and despite the cautions that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following the leader directly stated openly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – a majority of citizens selected him instead of Kamala Harris.
As terrifying as the current reality may be, it’s even scarier to understand that we’re only nine months into this presidential term. How will an additional three years of this downfall leave us? And suppose the three years becomes a more extended duration, since there is nobody to stop this leader from opting that a third term is essential, perhaps for defense purposes?
Admittedly, there is still hope. There are midterm elections in 2026 which might establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats retake one or both houses of the legislature. We have government representatives who are striving to apply a degree of oversight, like lawmakers who are launching an investigation concerning the try to fund seizure from legal authorities.
And a presidential election in 2028 could begin our journey toward restoration just as the prior selection set us on this regrettable path.
There are millions of Americans protesting in the streets across municipalities, like they performed in the past days during anti-authority protests.
An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of the US is stirring”, just as it did following the Red Scare during the fifties or amid the sixties activism or during the Watergate scandal.
On those occasions, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.
The author states he understands the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding at present. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition against a broadcaster's firing and the largely united defiance by media to accept military mandates they only publish approved content.
“The dormant force always remains inactive until some venality grows too toxic, an specific act so disrespectful of societal benefit, some brutality so loud, that the giant is forced except to rise.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Perhaps he will turn out correct.
In the meantime, the big questions persist: will the nation regain its footing? Can it reclaim its standing internationally and its devotion to legal principles?
Or do we need to admit that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My pessimistic brain suggests that the latter is accurate; that everything could be lost. My positive feelings, though, convinces me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that’s about pushing media professionals to adhere, more fully, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For others, it could mean participating in congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to defend voting rights.
Under twelve months back, we existed in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or after another term? The reality is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to strive to persevere.
What Provides Me Optimism Currently
The engagement I have during teaching with young journalists, who are both idealistic and practical, {always
