The Pat Kenny Show Leo Varadkar on life after politics, Irish-US relations & more
Mar 28, 2026
Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach now focused on writing, teaching and public speaking. He reflects on life after office and enjoying newfound freedom. He discusses Irish–US relations, concerns about US democracy and midterms. He explores modern security threats like cyber and undersea cables and the challenges facing defence and recruitment.
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Enjoying Freedom After Leaving Office
- Leo Varadkar values newfound personal and intellectual freedom after leaving government.
- He described not being accountable to others for the first time in years and enjoying control over his diary, teaching, writing and board work.
Weakened Guardrails In Trump Mark 2
- Varadkar argues Trump's second term shows weakened institutional guardrails compared with his first term.
- He cites departed traditional Republicans, a more sympathetic Supreme Court, and reduced constraints from the Pentagon and State Department.
Treat Midterms As A Democratic Stress Test
- Watch US midterms as a key test of democratic resilience and legitimacy.
- Varadkar warns results must be free, fair and accepted, noting past attempts to subvert certification and possible future disputes.