The summer break hasn’t changed the Freshwater polling figures for the two major parties federally. Overseas, the former US President is in a strong position ahead of the Iowa caucus.

His key opponent is an incendiary character in a world of legal trouble. So why isn’t Joe Biden in a better position to win the 2024 presidential race than he seems to be?

The incumbent president is struggling in the polls, with his biggest hopes an improvement in economic sentiment before the election, and a conviction for Trump.

Trump has indicated that, in a second stint as president, he would punish his enemies and reward his champions.

Democracy at its best struggles to enable the better angels of our nature. Demagoguery does the opposite - and we are increasingly at risk of it.

With the former president still very popular within the Republican Party, it will likely come down to Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis to challenge him for the Republican nomination.

What we are already hearing today from those leading the “no” campaign is an echo chamber of Trumpist sentiments for his supporters and acolytes in Australia.

Term limits for presidents were only written into the Constitution after the second world war. And members of Congress can still serve as long as they wish.

Trump faces fresh charges over his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election result – but how it will affect his 2024 run for the White House remains to be seen.