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In late October 2024, the situation was entirely distinct. Ahead of the US presidential election, considerate citizens could acknowledge America's serious imperfections – its unfairness and imbalance – however they could still identify it as the United States. A democracy. A country where the rule of law held significance. A country guided by a dignified and upright leader, even with his advanced age and increasing frailty.

Currently, in late October 2025, countless Americans scarcely know the country we inhabit. People believed to be illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vans, sometimes denied due process. The left side of the White House – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The leader is harassing his opponents or perceived antagonists and requesting federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, relabeled the War Department, has effectively freed itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of what could amount to nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, journalism organizations are submitting from leader's menaces, and billionaires are handled as aristocracy.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the limit into autocracy and extremism,” an American historian, commented this past summer. “Finally, swifter than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

However, we understand that the leader was legitimately chosen. Even after his profoundly alarming first term and despite the alerts associated with the understanding of Project 2025 – following the leader directly declared plainly he intended to act as an autocrat solely at the start – sufficient voters selected him over the other candidate.

While alarming as the current reality are, it's more frightening to realize that we have only been several months into this administration. How will another 36 months of this deterioration find us? And if that timeframe transforms into an prolonged era, because there is not anyone to restrain this ruler from determining that another term is required, perhaps for defense purposes?

Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There are midterm elections the coming year that may establish an alternate governmental control, in case Democrats retake the Senate or House of the legislature. We have government representatives who are striving to impose some accountability, like representatives that are starting a probe concerning the try to money grab from legal authorities.

And a national vote in the next cycle could begin our journey to healing exactly as the previous vote set us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are numerous residents protesting in the streets throughout communities, like they performed recently in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the nation is rising”, similar to past following the Red Scare in that decade or during the sixties activism or in the Nixon controversy.

In those instances, the listing ship eventually was righted.

He claims he understands the signs of that revival and observes it occurring now. For proof, he points to the recent massive protests, the broad, cross-party resistance against a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to sign military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays inactive till certain corruption turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so loud, that the giant is compelled except to rise.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will prove to be right.

Meanwhile, the big questions remain: can America return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its standing globally and its adherence to the rule of law?

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

My cynical mind indicates that the latter is accurate; that everything might be lost. My optimistic spirit, though, convinces me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

For me, as an observer of the press, that’s about encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their purpose of holding power to account. For some people, it could mean engaging with election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard ballot privileges.

Not even one year prior, we were in a very different place. A year from now? Or in several years? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have during teaching with new media professionals, who are equally visionary and practical, {always