A Tragic Transformation Just One Year Has Brought in the US
One year ago, the environment was utterly different. Ahead of the American presidential vote, reflective residents could recognize America's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – however they continued to perceive it as America. A free society. A place where the rule of law meant something. A country headed by a dignified and decent official, despite his older age and increasing frailty.
These days, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the nation we live in. People believed to be unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and pushed into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The left side of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. The leader is persecuting his opponents or supposed enemies and requesting the justice department surrender an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, rebranded the War Department, has practically rid itself of regular press examination as it spends possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, media outlets are yielding under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.
“The United States, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the limit toward dictatorship and fascism,” a noted author, commented in August. “Finally, swifter than I imagined possible, it transpired here.”
One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost our nation is, and the speed at which it occurred.
However, we know that the president was properly voted in. Even after his deeply disturbing previous administration and despite the alerts that came with the knowledge of the conservative plan – despite the leader directly stated openly he intended to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters selected him over his Democratic opponent.
While alarming as the present situation are, it's more frightening to recognize that we have only been three-quarters of a year under this leadership. What will another 36 months of this decline find us? And what if the three years transforms into a more extended duration, as there is no one to limit this president from opting that another term is essential, perhaps for national security reasons?
Certainly, there is still hope. There will be legislative votes the coming year that may create a new balance of power, should Democrats regain either chamber of parliament. We have public servants who are trying to apply a degree of oversight, for example Democratic congressmen who are initiating an inquiry into the attempted cash appropriation from the justice department.
And a national vote three years from now could start our journey toward restoration just as the prior selection set us on this regrettable path.
There are countless citizens demonstrating in public spaces across municipalities, like they performed in the past days at democracy demonstrations.
A former official, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of the nation is rising”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or amid the sixties activism or during the Watergate scandal.
On those occasions, the unstable nation eventually was righted.
The author states he knows the signals of that revival and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance to a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to sign military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.
“The dormant force consistently stays asleep till certain corruption turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so disrespectful toward public welfare, certain violence so disruptive, that it is compelled other than to stir.”
It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may turn out correct.
At the same time, the big questions persist: is the US able to ever recover? Is it possible to restore its status globally and its adherence to the rule of law?
Or must we acknowledge that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My negative thoughts indicates that the latter is true; that all may indeed be finished. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we need to strive, in whatever ways available.
Personally, as a media critic, that involves pushing media professionals to commit, more completely, to their duty of holding power to account. For others, it may be participating in political races, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to defend voting rights.
Under twelve months back, we were in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or after another term? The reality is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to not give up.
What Provides Me Hope Now
The engagement I experience with students with new media professionals, who are both idealistic and practical, {always
