🔗 Share this article

Twelve months back, the landscape was entirely distinct. Before the national election, thoughtful residents could recognize the country's significant faults – its injustices and imbalance – yet they still could perceive it as the US. A free society. A country where constitutional order carried weight. A nation led by a respectable and decent official, despite his advanced age and increasing frailty.

Currently, this autumn, countless Americans hardly identify the country we live in. Individuals suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and forced into transport, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for a grotesque event space. The president is harassing his political rivals or perceived antagonists and insisting legal authorities hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The Pentagon, renamed the Defense Ministry, has effectively rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Institutions, law firms, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are regarded as aristocracy.

“The United States, just months before its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated recently. “Finally, more quickly than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined our nation is, and the speed at which it unfolded.

Yet, it is known that Trump was legitimately chosen. Even after his highly troubling initial presidency and even after the alerts linked to the awareness of Project 2025 – despite the president personally stated openly he would rule as a tyrant only on the first day – a majority of citizens selected him over the other candidate.

While alarming as today's circumstances is, it's more daunting to realize that we are just nine months into this presidential term. How will three more years of this decline leave us? And if the three years turns into an prolonged era, since there is no one to limit this ruler from deciding that a third term is essential, maybe for national security reasons?

Admittedly, there is still hope. We will have legislative votes in 2026 which might establish an alternate balance of power, should Democrats retake one or both houses of parliament. There are public servants who are attempting to impose some accountability, for example lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in 2028 could initiate us down the road toward restoration precisely as the previous vote placed us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see countless citizens demonstrating in urban areas across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or amid anti-war demonstrations or during the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.

Reich says he understands the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance against a personality's dismissal and the largely united refusal by journalists to accept government requirements they solely cover approved content.

“The sleeping giant always remains inactive till some venality becomes so noxious, some action so offensive of the common good, some brutality so noisy, that it is forced other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may prove to be right.

In the meantime, the major inquiries endure: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it retrieve its position globally and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the historical project worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind indicates that the final scenario is accurate; that everything could be finished. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we must try, by any means possible.

In my case, as a media critic, that’s about urging journalists to commit, more completely, to their duty of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve engaging with political races, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we lived in a separate situation. A year from now? Or three years from now? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is try to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The interaction I experience with students with young journalists, that are simultaneously hopeful and practical, {always