A Heartbreaking Change Only 12 Months Has Made in the United States

In late October 2024, the situation was entirely different. Prior to the American presidential vote, reflective residents could admit the country's significant faults – its unfairness and imbalance – however they continued to identify it as America. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law carried weight. A country led by a respectable and ethical public servant, even with his elderly years and declining health.

These days, this autumn, countless Americans hardly identify the country we live in. People believed to be illegal immigrants are rounded up and shoved into vans, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the White House – is undergoing demolition for an obscene ballroom. The leader is harassing his opponents or perceived antagonists and demanding the justice department hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has practically liberated itself of regular press examination while it uses what could amount to close to a trillion USD in public funds. Universities, attorney offices, media outlets are yielding from leader's menaces, and wealthy elites are treated like members of the royal family.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the limit into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, wrote recently. “Ultimately, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen here.”

Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. And it's challenging to understand – and painful to realize – how deeply lost our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

Nevertheless, we understand that Trump was legitimately chosen. Even after his profoundly alarming first term and even after the alerts linked to the understanding of the conservative plan – even after the leader directly said publicly he intended to be a dictator just on day one – a majority of citizens chose him rather than the other candidate.

Frightening as the present situation are, it's more daunting to recognize that we are just nine months under this leadership. How will another 36 months of this downfall leave us? And if that timeframe turns into a more extended duration, since there is nobody to limit this ruler from deciding that another term is necessary, maybe for national security reasons?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There will be legislative votes the coming year which might create a new governmental control, should Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. There are elected officials who are trying to impose certain responsibility, such as lawmakers currently launching an investigation into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could start us down the road to recovery just as the previous vote set us on this regrettable path.

There exist countless citizens demonstrating in the streets throughout communities, as they did last weekend during anti-authority protests.

A former official, commented this week that “the slumbering force of America is rising”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or during the sixties activism or during the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

He claims he understands the signs of that awakening and notices it unfolding now. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to sign government requirements they solely cover what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity perpetually exists asleep until some venality turns extremely harmful, some action so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so loud, that he is forced other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll be validated.

In the meantime, the major inquiries endure: can America return to normalcy? Is it possible to restore its standing in the world and its adherence to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the final scenario is true; that everything could be lost. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that’s about encouraging reporters to adhere, more fully, to their duty of holding power to account. For others, it might involve engaging with election efforts, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to defend ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we existed in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The fact is, we cannot predict. All we can do is to strive to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I encounter with students with aspiring reporters, who are both idealistic and grounded, {always