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One year ago, the landscape was utterly different. Ahead of the American presidential vote, thoughtful citizens could recognize America's deep flaws – its injustices and imbalance – yet they still could identify it as the US. A democracy. A country where the rule of law meant something. A state guided by a respectable and ethical official, even with his older age and growing weakness.

Currently, this autumn, many of us hardly identify the country we inhabit. Individuals believed to be undocumented migrants are detained and pushed into transport, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for an obscene event space. Donald Trump is targeting his adversaries or alleged foes and insisting legal authorities hand over an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, relabeled the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of regular press examination as it spends possibly reaching nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and wealthy elites are treated like members of the royal family.

“The United States, just months before its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has crossed the limit into authoritarianism and extremism,” an American historian, commented this past summer. “Ultimately, more quickly than I believed likely, it did happen in America.”

Every morning starts to new horrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how severely declined our nation is, and the speed at which it unfolded.

Nevertheless, we know that the leader was properly voted in. Despite his deeply disturbing initial presidency and despite the warnings associated with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following the president personally said publicly he planned to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens chose him over the other candidate.

Frightening as the present situation is, it's more frightening to realize that we’re only nine months into this administration. What will an additional three years of this decline leave us? And what if the three years becomes an prolonged era, because there is nobody to limit this ruler from determining that another term is necessary, possibly for security concerns?

Certainly, all is not lost. There are congressional elections in 2026 which might bring a different political equilibrium, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of Congress. There are elected officials who are trying to exert a degree of oversight, for example Democratic congressmen currently launching an investigation regarding the effort to fund seizure from the justice department.

And a presidential election three years from now could start us down the road to healing just as the previous vote placed us on this unfortunate course.

There are numerous residents protesting in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent recently during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, similar to past following the Red Scare in that decade or throughout anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Nixon controversy.

In those instances, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

The author states he understands the signs of that revival and sees it happening currently. As support, he points to the recent massive protests, the extensive, bipartisan pushback against a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to agree to the defense department’s demands they report only approved content.

“The dormant force perpetually exists inactive until certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so disrespectful of the common good, certain violence so noisy, that he is forced other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to ever recover? Can it reclaim its standing globally and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My cynical mind indicates that the latter is accurate; that everything could be lost. My optimistic spirit, however, tells me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

In my case, as a media critic, that’s about encouraging reporters to adhere, more completely, to their purpose of holding power to account. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with political races, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The fact is, we don’t know. All we can do is to strive to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I have in the classroom with young journalists, who are both idealistic and practical, {always