A Devastating Transformation a Single Year Has Caused in the US
In late October 2024, the landscape was completely distinct. Prior to the US presidential election, thoughtful residents could admit the nation's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – but they continued to see it as America. A free society. A place where legal governance meant something. A country headed by a honorable and upright official, even with his older age and increasing frailty.
These days, this autumn, many of us barely recognize the land we live in. Persons suspected of being illegal immigrants are rounded up and forced into vans, sometimes denied due process. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for a grotesque dance hall. The leader is harassing his opponents or alleged foes and insisting federal prosecutors hand over an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are buckling under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as aristocracy.
“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the brink into authoritarianism and extremism,” Garrett Graff, stated in August. “Ultimately, faster than I thought feasible, it occurred in America.”
Each day begins to new horrors. It is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.
Yet, it is known that the leader was properly voted in. Despite his profoundly alarming initial presidency and following the cautions that came with the knowledge of Project 2025 – even after Trump himself said publicly he planned to be a dictator solely at the start – enough Americans chose him over Kamala Harris.
While alarming as the current reality is, it’s even scarier to realize that we’re only several months under this leadership. Where will three more years of this downfall position us? And if the three years becomes something even longer, as there is not anyone to limit this leader from determining that a third term is necessary, maybe for national security reasons?
Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There will be congressional elections the coming year that could establish an alternate political equilibrium, in case Democrats regain one or both houses of Congress. There are public servants who are trying to exert some accountability, such as lawmakers that are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.
And a presidential election in 2028 could initiate us down the road to healing just as the prior selection put us on this disappointing trajectory.
There exist millions of Americans demonstrating in the streets throughout communities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.
An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is rising”, just as it did following the Red Scare in that decade or during the Vietnam war protests or in the Watergate scandal.
On those occasions, the listing ship eventually was righted.
He claims he recognizes the signals of that awakening and notices it unfolding now. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, cross-party resistance against a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous defiance by media to agree to government requirements they only publish approved content.
“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive before specific greed becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful of societal benefit, some brutality so loud, that he is forced except to rise.”
It's a hopeful perspective, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may turn out correct.
At the same time, the big questions endure: is the US able to ever recover? Can it retrieve its standing internationally and its commitment to constitutional order?
Or must we acknowledge that the historical project worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?
My negative thoughts tells me that the second option is true; that everything might be gone. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we must try, through all methods available.
In my case, as an observer of the press, that involves pushing media professionals to commit, more completely, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For others, it could mean participating in political races, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to defend electoral access.
Under twelve months back, we were in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The reality is, we are uncertain. The only option is to attempt to continue fighting.
What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I experience in the classroom with young journalists, who are equally visionary and grounded, {always
