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One year ago, the situation was completely separate. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective residents could acknowledge the nation's serious imperfections – its inequities and imbalance – however they continued to perceive it as America. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order meant something. A state guided by a dignified and decent leader, even with his elderly years and increasing frailty.

Nowadays, this autumn, many of us hardly identify the country we live in. Individuals suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and pushed into transport, at times refused legal rights. The East Wing of the White House – is being destroyed for a grotesque ballroom. The president is harassing his political rivals or perceived antagonists and requesting the justice department surrender a huge total of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are being sent across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, renamed the Department of War, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight while it uses possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Institutions, attorney offices, media outlets are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are regarded as nobility.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the edge toward dictatorship and extremism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Finally, swifter than I thought feasible, it transpired in America.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – just how far gone our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

However, it is known that the president was properly voted in. Even after his highly troubling initial presidency and following the cautions linked to the knowledge of Project 2025 – following Trump himself stated openly he would be a dictator just on day one – sufficient voters selected him over Kamala Harris.

Frightening as today's circumstances is, it's more daunting to realize that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. Where will three more years of this deterioration find us? And what if that period transforms into a more extended duration, because there is not anyone to restrain this leader from opting that a third term is necessary, maybe for defense purposes?

Certainly, there is still hope. There are midterm elections in 2026 which might establish an alternate balance of power, should Democrats regain the Senate or House of Congress. There are elected officials who are attempting to exert a degree of oversight, like lawmakers who are launching an investigation regarding the effort to cash appropriation from the justice department.

And a leadership election in 2028 could initiate the path to recovery precisely as the prior selection set us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are millions of Americans demonstrating in public spaces across municipalities, like they performed last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of America is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism during the fifties or throughout anti-war demonstrations or during the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

He claims he recognizes the signs of that awakening and observes it occurring now. As support, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, bipartisan pushback to a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal defiance by media to sign military mandates they report only authorized information.

“The dormant force consistently stays inactive until some venality becomes so noxious, an specific act so disrespectful of the common good, some brutality so loud, that the giant is compelled except to rise.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will be validated.

At the same time, the crucial issues remain: will the nation return to normalcy? Is it possible to restore its position internationally and its commitment to constitutional order?

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

My negative thoughts suggests that the second option is accurate; that everything could be lost. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we must try, by any means we can.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that involves pushing media professionals to adhere, more fully, to their purpose of holding power to account. For different individuals, it may be working on political races, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to defend ballot privileges.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we are uncertain. The only option is to attempt to continue fighting.

What Offers Me Hope Now

The interaction I encounter with students with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and realistic, {always