🔗 Share this article

One year ago, the landscape was entirely separate. Ahead of the US presidential election, considerate residents could admit the country's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – but they could still see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A place where legal governance held significance. A state headed by a honorable and decent leader, notwithstanding his elderly years and increasing frailty.

Currently, this autumn, numerous citizens hardly identify the country we live in. Individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vehicles, occasionally refused legal rights. The left side of the White House – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque ballroom. The president is persecuting his political rivals or supposed enemies and requesting federal prosecutors surrender an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The military command, relabeled the Department of War, has practically liberated itself of routine media oversight as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn in public funds. Universities, legal practices, news companies are yielding under the president’s threats, and billionaires are treated like nobility.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the limit into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated this past summer. “Ultimately, faster than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it's hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – just how far gone we are, and the speed at which it unfolded.

However, it is known that the leader was properly voted in. Following his profoundly alarming initial presidency and despite the warnings that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – even after the leader directly stated openly he intended to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens selected him instead of the other candidate.

While alarming as the present situation is, it’s even scarier to realize that we have only been several months under this leadership. Where will three more years of this downfall position us? And if the three years transforms into an prolonged era, since there is no one to restrain this ruler from deciding that a third term is essential, maybe for national security reasons?

Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There will be legislative votes next year which might establish an alternate governmental control, in case Democrats retake one or both houses of the legislature. There are government representatives who are attempting to exert certain responsibility, for example Democratic congressmen currently initiating an inquiry into the attempted fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in 2028 could initiate us down the road to healing exactly as last year’s election put us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see numerous residents demonstrating in public spaces across municipalities, as they did in the past days during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the slumbering force of the US is awakening”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or throughout the sixties activism or in the seventies crisis.

During those times, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he knows the indicators of that resurgence and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he cites the recent massive protests, the extensive, cross-party resistance against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to accept the defense department’s demands they solely cover approved content.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists dormant before certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so contemptuous of societal benefit, some brutality so disruptive, that the giant is compelled other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll be validated.

At the same time, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to ever recover? Can it retrieve its status globally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain indicates that the latter is true; that everything could be gone. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, convinces me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.

Personally, as a media critic, that’s about pushing media professionals to adhere, more completely, to their mission of holding power to account. For others, it might involve participating in congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to protect electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The fact is, we don’t know. All we can do is try to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I have during teaching with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously visionary and realistic, {always