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Twelve months back, the environment was entirely distinct. Ahead of the national election, thoughtful residents could admit the nation's deep flaws – its unfairness and disparity – but they still could perceive it as the United States. A democratic nation. A country where the rule of law carried weight. A nation headed by a respectable and ethical public servant, notwithstanding his older age and declining health.

These days, this autumn, numerous citizens scarcely know the nation we inhabit. People suspected of being undocumented migrants are collected and pushed into transport, sometimes refused legal rights. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for an obscene ballroom. Donald Trump is targeting his adversaries or supposed enemies and requesting federal prosecutors surrender a massive sum of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are deployed to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, renamed the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are buckling from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are treated like aristocracy.

“America, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, wrote in August. “In the end, faster than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

However, it is known that Trump was properly voted in. Following his profoundly alarming first term and despite the alerts that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – following the president personally said publicly he intended to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – sufficient voters elected him instead of Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as the present situation are, it's more daunting to understand that we are just three-quarters of a year into this administration. What will another 36 months of this deterioration leave us? And suppose that timeframe transforms into something even longer, because 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 are legislative votes the coming year that may bring a different balance of power, should Democrats regain one or both houses of parliament. There are government representatives who are attempting to exert a degree of oversight, for example lawmakers that are launching an investigation concerning the try to money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote in 2028 could start the path to recovery precisely as last year’s election set us on this unfortunate course.

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

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of America is awakening”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in that decade or amid the sixties activism or in the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the listing ship eventually was righted.

Reich says he knows the signs of that resurgence and observes it occurring now. As evidence, he references the recent massive protests, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a television host's removal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to sign government requirements they only publish authorized information.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays dormant until some venality becomes so noxious, some action so contemptuous of the common good, certain violence so noisy, that it is forced but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will be validated.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: will the nation ever recover? Can it retrieve its position in the world and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts tells me that the final scenario is true; that all may indeed be gone. My optimistic spirit, however, tells me that we must try, by any means available.

For me, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more completely, to their mission of holding power to account. For others, it could mean working on political races, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The fact is, we are uncertain. All we can do is try to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

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