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In late October 2024, the landscape was completely different. Prior to the US presidential election, reflective residents could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – yet they could still identify it as the United States. A free society. A country where constitutional order carried weight. A country guided by a dignified and decent official, notwithstanding his elderly years and declining health.

Nowadays, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans hardly identify the country we reside in. Persons believed to be undocumented migrants are detained and pushed into transport, at times denied due process. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish dance hall. Donald Trump is harassing his opponents or alleged foes and insisting federal prosecutors surrender a huge total of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, relabeled the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses possibly reaching close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, news companies are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are handled as nobility.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge toward dictatorship and fascism,” a noted author, stated this past summer. “In the end, swifter than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”

Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. And it is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the cautions associated with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – following the president personally said publicly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – a majority of citizens elected him over Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the present situation may be, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just nine months under this leadership. How will another 36 months of this downfall position us? And what if that timeframe becomes a more extended duration, as there is not anyone to restrain this ruler from deciding that another term is essential, possibly for national security reasons?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There will be legislative votes in 2026 which might create a new balance of power, if Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. There are government representatives who are striving to impose a degree of oversight, such as representatives that are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab from the justice department.

And a national vote in the next cycle could initiate the path to recovery precisely as last year’s election put us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are millions of Americans protesting in the streets across municipalities, like they performed recently during anti-authority protests.

A former official, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of the US is stirring”, exactly as before post-McCarthyism during the fifties or throughout anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.

He claims he understands the indicators of that awakening and observes it occurring now. As evidence, he references the recent massive protests, the widespread, multi-faction opposition against a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they report only approved content.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists dormant before certain corruption becomes so noxious, an specific act so disrespectful of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that it is compelled except to rise.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.

At the same time, the major inquiries persist: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its status in the world and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the latter is true; that everything could be lost. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that’s about pushing media professionals to live up, more thoroughly, to their purpose of holding power to account. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to defend electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a very different place. In the future? Or three years from now? The truth is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to strive to persevere.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I encounter during teaching with young journalists, who are equally idealistic and realistic, {always