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One year ago, the situation was utterly different. Prior to the US presidential election, considerate residents could acknowledge America's deep flaws – its unfairness and disparity – but they still could perceive it as America. A democracy. A land where constitutional order meant something. A nation guided by a respectable and ethical public servant, despite his older age and increasing frailty.

Nowadays, this autumn, countless Americans barely recognize the land we inhabit. People alleged as unauthorized foreigners are detained and forced into vans, at times denied due process. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for an obscene ballroom. The president is harassing his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding federal prosecutors transfer an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are being sent across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The Pentagon, renamed the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of routine media oversight while it uses potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, media outlets are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are treated like aristocracy.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” Garrett Graff, commented recently. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it transpired here.”

Each day begins to new horrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone we have become, and the speed at which it has happened.

However, it is known that the president was duly elected. Even after his highly troubling initial presidency and despite the cautions that came with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – following Trump himself said publicly he intended to act as an autocrat solely at the start – a majority of citizens elected him instead of his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as the current reality may be, it’s even scarier to realize that we are just nine months under this leadership. What will three more years of this downfall position us? And suppose that period turns into an prolonged era, since there is not anyone to stop this ruler from opting that a third term is essential, perhaps for security concerns?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There are midterm elections in 2026 that may bring a different governmental control, should Democrats regain one or both houses of Congress. There exist public servants who are attempting to apply some accountability, for example lawmakers that are initiating an inquiry into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.

And a leadership election in the next cycle could start us down the road to healing exactly as the previous vote put us on this unfortunate course.

There are millions of Americans demonstrating in the streets across municipalities, similar to recent recently during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, just as it did post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or during the Vietnam war protests or in the seventies crisis.

During those times, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

Reich says he knows the signals of that resurgence and sees it happening currently. As evidence, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, cross-party resistance to a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they solely cover authorized information.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays dormant until certain corruption grows too toxic, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that it is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.

At the same time, the major inquiries persist: will the nation ever recover? Can it retrieve its status globally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or must we acknowledge that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My cynical mind suggests that the final scenario is true; that all may indeed be lost. My positive feelings, however, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that means urging journalists to live up, more completely, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For others, it could mean engaging with election efforts, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to protect electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or after another term? The truth is, we are uncertain. All we can do is try to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I have during teaching with young journalists, that are simultaneously idealistic and practical, {always