🔗 Share this article

In late October 2024, the situation was entirely distinct. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective Americans could recognize the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and inequality – but they still could perceive it as the US. A democracy. A land where the rule of law held significance. A state led by a honorable and upright official, even with his elderly years and declining health.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans barely recognize the land we inhabit. Individuals believed to be undocumented migrants are detained and forced into transport, at times blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for a grotesque dance hall. Donald Trump is targeting his political rivals or alleged foes and insisting federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are being sent across metropolitan centers with deceptive justifications. The Pentagon, relabeled the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny while it uses potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Institutions, attorney offices, media outlets are buckling from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are regarded as nobility.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the brink into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, wrote recently. “Ultimately, faster than I imagined possible, it transpired here.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we have become, and how quickly it occurred.

Yet, we understand that the president was properly voted in. Even after his highly troubling previous administration and even after the warnings that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – even after the president personally stated openly he intended to rule as a tyrant just on day one – a majority of citizens chose him rather than his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as the current reality is, it's more frightening to recognize that we’re only several months into this administration. What will an additional three years of this downfall leave us? And if that period becomes something even longer, since there is nobody to restrain this president from determining that a third term is essential, perhaps for security concerns?

Admittedly, there is still hope. We will have midterm elections the coming year that may bring a different balance of power, should Democrats regain one or both houses of the legislature. There exist government representatives who are attempting to exert a degree of oversight, like representatives that are starting a probe concerning the try to fund seizure from the justice department.

And a leadership election three years from now could initiate us down the road to healing exactly as the previous vote set us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see countless citizens marching in urban areas across municipalities, like they performed in the past days during anti-authority protests.

A former official, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or throughout the Vietnam war protests or in the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

Reich says he understands the signals of that awakening and notices it unfolding at present. As evidence, he points to the recent massive protests, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the largely united defiance by media to accept the defense department’s demands they report only what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays dormant until specific greed grows too toxic, a particular deed so disrespectful toward public welfare, certain violence so noisy, that the giant is compelled except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: can America regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its standing internationally and its adherence to legal principles?

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

My pessimistic brain tells me that the second option is correct; that all may indeed be lost. My optimistic spirit, though, tells me that we need to strive, by any means we can.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to commit, more completely, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For others, it might involve working on election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to defend voting rights.

Not even one year prior, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The reality is, we don’t know. All we can do is try to persevere.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I experience with students with young journalists, who are both visionary and practical, {always