A Tragic Change a Single Year Has Made in the US
One year ago, the landscape was entirely distinct. Before the American presidential vote, considerate Americans could admit the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and imbalance – however they could still see it as America. A democracy. A land where constitutional order held significance. A nation led by a dignified and upright leader, even with his older age and increasing frailty.
Nowadays, this autumn, many of us hardly identify the nation we inhabit. Persons suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and forced into transport, occasionally refused legal rights. The East Wing of the White House – is being destroyed to build a lavish dance hall. The president is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and insisting legal authorities hand over an enormous amount of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The military command, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has practically freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Colleges, legal practices, journalism organizations are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are handled as aristocracy.
“The United States, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the brink into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, stated recently. “Finally, swifter than I believed likely, it did happen here.”
Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. And it is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how deeply lost we are, and how quickly it has happened.
Yet, we know that Trump was legitimately chosen. Even after his deeply disturbing first term and even after the alerts associated with the knowledge of Project 2025 – following Trump himself said publicly he would rule as a tyrant just on day one – enough Americans selected him over the other candidate.
Frightening as the current reality are, it's more daunting to understand that we are just several months into this administration. How will an additional three years of this downfall position us? And suppose that timeframe turns into a more extended duration, because there is nobody to limit this president from opting that another term is necessary, maybe for national security reasons?
Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There will be legislative votes the coming year that could create a new governmental control, should Democrats regain either chamber of the legislature. We have elected officials who are trying to exert a degree of oversight, for example Democratic congressmen that are launching an investigation into the attempted cash appropriation from the justice department.
And a presidential election in the next cycle could begin the path toward restoration just as the prior selection placed us on this unfortunate course.
There are millions of Americans marching in urban areas across municipalities, similar to recent last weekend in the No Kings rallies.
A former official, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of America is awakening”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or during the Vietnam war protests or throughout the Nixon controversy.
On those occasions, the unstable nation eventually was righted.
He claims he recognizes the signs of that awakening and observes it occurring currently. As evidence, he cites the widespread marches, the widespread, multi-faction opposition against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to accept military mandates they only publish approved content.
“The dormant force perpetually exists inactive till specific greed turns extremely harmful, an specific act so disrespectful of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that the giant has no choice except to rise.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll be validated.
In the meantime, the major inquiries endure: is the US able to ever recover? Can it retrieve its standing globally and its adherence to constitutional order?
Or must we acknowledge that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?
My negative thoughts indicates that the latter is true; that everything could be lost. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we must try, by any means available.
For me, working in journalism analysis, that means urging journalists to commit, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For others, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard electoral access.
Under twelve months back, we were in a very different place. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to attempt to persevere.
What Provides Me Encouragement Today
The contact I experience with students with new media professionals, who are equally hopeful and practical, {always
