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One year ago, the landscape was completely separate. Before the American presidential vote, considerate citizens could recognize the country's significant faults – its unfairness and inequality – yet they could still see it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where legal governance meant something. A nation guided by a dignified and upright leader, even with his advanced age and growing weakness.

Currently, in late October 2025, numerous citizens barely recognize the land we reside in. People suspected of being undocumented migrants are collected and shoved into transport, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition for an obscene dance hall. Donald Trump is harassing his political rivals or perceived antagonists and demanding federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, relabeled the Department of War, has – in effect – freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, news companies are yielding from leader's menaces, and billionaires are regarded as nobility.

“The US, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the limit into authoritarianism and extremism,” an American historian, stated this past summer. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen in this country.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. And it's challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we have become, and the speed at which it has happened.

Nevertheless, we know that the president was duly elected. Even after his deeply disturbing first term and even after the warnings that came with the awareness of Project 2025 – following the leader directly stated openly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans chose him rather than the other candidate.

While alarming as the current reality are, it’s even scarier to recognize that we’re only nine months into this administration. Where will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And if that timeframe transforms into a more extended duration, since there is no one to stop this ruler from determining that additional tenure is essential, maybe for security concerns?

Certainly, there is still hope. There are legislative votes in 2026 which might bring a different governmental control, in case Democrats retake one or both houses of the legislature. We have government representatives who are attempting to impose a degree of oversight, such as lawmakers that are launching an investigation concerning the try to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election three years from now could begin the path toward restoration just as the previous vote set us on this unfortunate course.

We see millions of Americans protesting in urban areas of their cities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, wrote recently that “the slumbering force of America is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism during the fifties or amid the sixties activism or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

He claims he knows the signs of that revival and notices it unfolding currently. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the widespread, bipartisan pushback regarding a television host's removal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to sign the defense department’s demands they report only what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists inactive until certain corruption becomes so noxious, an specific act so offensive of the common good, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he is compelled other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will be validated.

At the same time, the crucial issues remain: can America return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its position internationally and its adherence to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My cynical mind suggests that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be finished. My hopeful heart, however, tells me that we need to strive, through all methods possible.

Personally, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to adhere, more fully, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it could mean participating in political races, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to defend voting rights.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a very different place. In the future? Or after another term? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is to strive to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have during teaching with new media professionals, who are both idealistic and grounded, {always