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In late October 2024, the situation was completely different. Before the national election, considerate residents could recognize the country's deep flaws – its inequities and imbalance – yet they could still perceive it as America. A free society. A land where legal governance held significance. A nation headed by a honorable and ethical official, even with his older age and declining health.

Nowadays, this autumn, numerous citizens scarcely know the nation we live in. Individuals alleged as undocumented migrants are rounded up and pushed into vans, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition for an obscene dance hall. Donald Trump is harassing his opponents or alleged foes and insisting federal prosecutors surrender an enormous amount of public funds. Uniformed troops are dispatched to US urban areas with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has practically rid itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are handled as members of the royal family.

“The United States, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the edge toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, wrote recently. “Ultimately, swifter than I believed likely, it did happen in this country.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it's difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we are, and how quickly it unfolded.

However, we understand that the leader was properly voted in. Following his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the alerts that came with the understanding of Project 2025 – despite Trump himself stated openly he planned to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans selected him over the other candidate.

As terrifying as the current reality may be, it’s even scarier to recognize that we are just several months into this administration. Where will an additional three years of this deterioration position us? And suppose that timeframe becomes a more extended duration, since there is not anyone to stop this ruler from determining that a third term is required, maybe for defense purposes?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There are congressional elections next year which might establish an alternate governmental control, in case Democrats retake the Senate or House of parliament. There exist elected officials who are attempting to impose some accountability, for example lawmakers that are launching an investigation concerning the try to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in 2028 could initiate us down the road toward restoration precisely as the previous vote set us on this unfortunate course.

There exist millions of Americans protesting in urban areas of their cities, like they performed in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of the US is stirring”, just as it did following the Red Scare in that decade or throughout the Vietnam war protests or during the Nixon controversy.

In those instances, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

Reich says he understands the signs of that resurgence and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he points to the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition regarding a television host's removal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to agree to the defense department’s demands they report only what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force perpetually exists dormant before certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so offensive of societal benefit, some brutality so disruptive, that he is compelled but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues remain: will the nation ever recover? Can it reclaim its position globally and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain suggests that the second option is true; that everything might be finished. My hopeful heart, however, tells me that we must try, by any means we can.

For me, as a media critic, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more thoroughly, to their mission of holding power to account. For some people, it might involve participating in congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to safeguard electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we were in a very different place. In the future? Or after another term? The reality is, we don’t know. Our sole course is to strive to not give up.

What Offers Me Hope Now

The interaction I experience in the classroom with new media professionals, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always