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Twelve months back, the environment was completely separate. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the nation's serious imperfections – its inequities and imbalance – however they continued to see it as the US. A free society. A place where the rule of law carried weight. A country guided by a respectable and decent leader, even with his advanced age and declining health.

These days, in late October 2025, countless Americans barely recognize the nation we inhabit. Individuals alleged as illegal immigrants are rounded up and forced into vans, at times denied due process. The left side of the White House – is being torn down for an obscene ballroom. Donald Trump is harassing his political rivals or supposed enemies and insisting the justice department hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are dispatched to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The military command, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has practically freed itself of routine media oversight as it spends what could amount to close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Institutions, attorney offices, news companies are submitting due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are handled as nobility.

“The United States, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the edge toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, stated in August. “In the end, more quickly than I thought feasible, it occurred in America.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Nevertheless, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and following the alerts that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite the leader directly said publicly he planned to act as an autocrat just on day one – enough Americans selected him over his Democratic opponent.

While alarming as today's circumstances is, it’s even scarier to understand that we have only been several months under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this decline leave us? And if that period becomes a more extended duration, as there is not anyone to restrain this president from opting that another term is essential, maybe for security concerns?

Admittedly, all is not lost. There will be legislative votes next year that may create a new political equilibrium, should Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. We have elected officials who are trying to impose a degree of oversight, for example Democratic congressmen currently starting a probe into the attempted fund seizure from the justice department.

And a national vote in the next cycle could begin us down the road toward restoration exactly as the previous vote set us on this unfortunate course.

There exist countless citizens marching in urban areas across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, exactly as before following the Red Scare during the fifties or during the Vietnam war protests or during the Nixon controversy.

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

He claims he understands the signals of that revival and notices it unfolding now. As evidence, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance to a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to agree to government requirements they solely cover authorized information.

“The slumbering entity always remains asleep until some venality turns extremely harmful, some action so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that he is compelled other than to stir.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may prove to be right.

At the same time, the major inquiries endure: can America ever recover? Is it possible to restore its position in the world and its devotion to constitutional order?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the latter is true; that everything could be lost. My hopeful heart, nevertheless, convinces me that we must try, through all methods available.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more fully, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to protect ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we lived in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or three years from now? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is to strive to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The contact I experience with students with aspiring reporters, who are both hopeful and realistic, {always