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One year ago, the landscape was utterly distinct. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective residents could admit the nation's significant faults – its inequities and inequality – yet they could still perceive it as America. A free society. A country where the rule of law meant something. A country guided by a respectable and ethical official, despite his older age and growing weakness.

Currently, this autumn, many of us scarcely know the land we reside in. Individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vans, at times denied due process. The left side of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque ballroom. The leader is harassing his political rivals or supposed enemies and demanding legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are being sent to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, rebranded the War Department, has effectively liberated itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of what could amount to almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Universities, legal practices, journalism organizations are submitting due to presidential intimidation, and rich magnates are treated like members of the royal family.

“America, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the brink into autocracy and fascism,” Garrett Graff, commented this past summer. “In the end, faster than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”

One awakes to new horrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how severely declined we have become, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

Yet, it is known that the leader was properly voted in. Following his highly troubling first term and even after the alerts associated with the knowledge of the conservative plan – even after Trump himself declared plainly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – sufficient voters selected him over his Democratic opponent.

While alarming as the current reality are, it’s even scarier to understand that we are just nine months into this presidential term. What will three more years of this decline position us? And suppose that period turns into a more extended duration, because there is not anyone to limit this president from opting that additional tenure is essential, possibly for security concerns?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There are midterm elections in 2026 that may create a new governmental control, should Democrats recapture the Senate or House of Congress. We have public servants who are trying to apply certain responsibility, like lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote in the next cycle could begin the path toward restoration just as the previous vote set us on this disappointing trajectory.

There exist millions of Americans marching in public spaces across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of America is awakening”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or throughout the sixties activism or during the Nixon controversy.

In those instances, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he recognizes the signs of that resurgence and sees it happening currently. For proof, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, bipartisan pushback against a broadcaster's firing and the largely united defiance by media to agree to government requirements they only publish approved content.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists dormant until certain corruption becomes so noxious, some action so contemptuous of the common good, certain violence so noisy, that the giant is compelled but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may prove to be right.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: can America regain its footing? Can it retrieve its standing in the world and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or must we acknowledge that the 250-year-old experiment functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts tells me that the latter is accurate; that all may indeed be lost. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we must try, in whatever ways possible.

For me, as a media critic, that’s about encouraging reporters to adhere, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For others, it could mean engaging with election efforts, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to protect voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a separate situation. A year from now? Or in several years? The fact is, we don’t know. The only option is try to not give up.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I experience during teaching with aspiring reporters, who are equally visionary and grounded, {always