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In late October 2024, the situation was completely different. Prior to the US presidential election, considerate Americans could acknowledge the nation's significant faults – its injustices and imbalance – yet they continued to see it as the United States. A democracy. A country where the rule of law meant something. A state headed by a respectable and decent public servant, notwithstanding his elderly years and increasing frailty.

These days, in late October 2025, many of us barely recognize the land we live in. Persons suspected of being undocumented migrants are rounded up and pushed into vans, at times denied due process. The left side of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for an obscene ballroom. Donald Trump is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and demanding federal prosecutors surrender an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched to US urban areas on false pretexts. The military command, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has practically rid itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of what could amount to close to a trillion USD from citizen taxes. Colleges, legal practices, news companies are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and rich magnates are regarded as aristocracy.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the limit toward dictatorship and fascism,” an American historian, stated this past summer. “Ultimately, swifter than I imagined possible, it occurred here.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. It is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we are, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

However, we know that the leader was properly voted in. Even after his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the alerts associated with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite Trump himself said publicly he planned to be a dictator just on day one – a majority of citizens elected him rather than the other candidate.

Frightening as today's circumstances are, it's more daunting to understand that we have only been three-quarters of a year into this administration. What will another 36 months of this downfall leave us? And suppose the three years transforms into an prolonged era, because there is nobody to restrain this president from opting that a third term is essential, maybe for security concerns?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. We will have legislative votes next year that may create a new political equilibrium, in case Democrats recapture one or both houses of the legislature. There exist public servants who are striving to exert some accountability, for example representatives that are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in 2028 could begin the path toward restoration precisely as the previous vote put us on this regrettable path.

There are countless citizens demonstrating in urban areas across municipalities, like they performed in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the nation is awakening”, exactly as before following the Red Scare during the fifties or during the Vietnam war protests or during the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

He claims he recognizes the signals of that awakening and sees it happening currently. For proof, he cites the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a broadcaster's firing and the largely united refusal by journalists to agree to military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity always remains dormant until some venality becomes so noxious, a particular deed so disrespectful toward public welfare, certain violence so disruptive, that he is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

In the meantime, the major inquiries remain: can America regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its position internationally and its commitment to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is true; that all may indeed be lost. My hopeful heart, however, advises me that we need to strive, by any means we can.

In my case, as a media critic, that means pushing media professionals to adhere, more fully, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it may be participating in political races, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to safeguard voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or in several years? The truth is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to strive to not give up.

What Provides Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I have in the classroom with young journalists, who are both hopeful and grounded, {always