Garage Logic Podcast — March 20, 2026

Episode Theme:
A rambunctious episode from the Garage Logic crew focused on Minnesota’s politics, the new Trump gold-plated commemorative coin, economic anxieties, and the chaos of American tribalism. The show blends local updates with national concerns, laced with humor, skepticism, and the classic GL “common sense” banter.

Main Topics & Discussion Points

1. Minnesota Politics & Immigration Enforcement

[02:00-07:56]

• The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation awarded the Twin Cities the "Profile in Courage" award for their “extraordinary courage” during a federal immigration crackdown in December.
• Joe Soucheray muses about politicians vying for photo-ops at the award ceremony:
  “Which politician will shove everybody out of the way to go get that award?” (03:17)
• House Democrats blocked a bill requiring county attorneys to report violent felonies committed by illegal immigrants to ICE.
  • Joe: “If you arrest an illegal for a violent crime, I don’t think that’s asking too much. You alert the authorities.” (06:00-07:00)
  • Kenny Olson asks why the bill was blocked; Joe explains Democrats see it as a federal issue, not local.
  • Joe: “This isn’t the DFL of yesteryear, nor is it the Republican Party of yesteryear by far, particularly at the federal level.” (07:38)

2. Trump’s Gold-Plated Coin & Political Fundraising Schemes

[08:51-15:15]

• The U.S. Mint plans a gold commemorative coin featuring Donald Trump, breaking a long tradition of not featuring living individuals.
  • Federal law normally forbids living persons on U.S. currency or stamps, but there's an exception for commemorative gold coins.
  • Joe: “As we approach our 250th birthday…there’s no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than our serving president, Donald J. Trump. U.S. treasurer Brandon Beach said, B as in B, S as in S.” (11:03)
• Chris Reavers jokes about his “gold-plated $100 Trump bill” from a local liquor store; the crew jokes about collectible Trump merchandise.
• Uncertainty over whether the coins are solid gold (likely not), their collector's value, and the profit motive (“You’ll have to buy them from Trump, and he’ll pocket the money or Jared will or somebody.” – Joe, 14:25)
• Trump’s PAC is fundraising by promising “private national security briefings” for supporters.
  • Joe: “I don’t think the country’s security briefings should be made available to any Tom, Dick, and Harry who’s got the money.” (20:04-20:50)
  • Skepticism about what donors would actually receive and the ethics/lawfulness of such pitches.

3. Economic & Government Shutdown Anxieties

[21:22-37:10]

• Minnesota’s struggles with high energy bills and the (in)feasibility of nuclear power.
• Extended discussion on the partial federal government shutdown:
  • Focus on TSA agents working without pay, the impact on travel, support efforts for workers, and how the crisis’ costs fall on the working class while politicians bicker.
  • Joe: “This used to be a hell of a country.” (31:20)
  • Reports of food shelf and gas card donations for TSA staff.
  • Matthew Mikalski: “If you have that travel plan booked to Cabo… you’re still going to go. You’ve booked it for six months.” (32:40-33:15)
  • Chris: “Any excuse people can come up with to work at home, they’ll probably take it. That contributes to the downfall of the tall buildings...” (34:49)
• The root problem, says Joe: “These are people not representing the American public. These are people representing their own tribes.” (36:22)

4. Tribalism, New York’s Tax Exodus & Political Ironies

[38:06-44:50]

• Recap of NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s evolving stance: first telling Trump supporters to “leave,” now begging for lost tax base to return as high earners and companies relocate to low-tax states.
• Joe: “You chased those people out, and now you’re walking through them with your hat in your hand saying, won’t you please come back and help pay our bills?” (40:01)
• “Tribal politics are ruining the country… just helping destroy the country.” (Joe, 40:08)
• Discussion of the hollow promises and self-serving actions of both parties at all levels; the working American is left behind.

5. Sports, Culture, and GL Banter

[65:33-79:20]

• The crew shifts into sports:
  • Discussion of the Gophers, Wisconsin’s basketball loss, NCAA tournament expansions, NIT, and the bracket culture.
  • John Hight: “Boy, you really gotta be bad if you’re not in a postseason event.” (72:47)
• Local sports jokes, nostalgia for radio’s golden era, and the fading traditions like CBS top-of-hour news.

6. News, Humor, and Listener Interaction

Notable Moments:

• Multiple recurring jokes about “gold-plated Trump bills” (13:04–13:12, 45:30, etc), canned peaches for TSA agents (35:12-36:02), and Chuck Norris’ supposed death (84:44-85:19).
• “GL’er of the Week” segment highlights listener engagement and community.

Notable Quotes

• Joe Soucheray ([11:03]):
  “As we approach our 250th birthday…there’s no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than our serving president, Donald J. Trump. U.S. treasurer Brandon Beach said, B as in B, S as in S.”

• Chris Reavers ([13:07]):
  “How could it not be? It’s the most beautiful $100 bill.” (on his Trump collectible)

• Matthew Mikalski ([31:20]):
  “Yeah. And they're hurting, so they need it.” (on TSA workers and public support)

• Kenny Olson ([37:17]):
  “I am working my way through the A section of the Star Tribune right now, Joe. I am on 6A and I have not seen one headline and or story about the TSA or the government shutdown.”

• Chris Reavers ([40:13]):
  “That is the ultimate F around and find out moment for the governor.”

• Joe Soucheray ([41:22]):
  “And it doesn’t work for the common man in this country. It’s not working out. It’s not working out for TSA agents. It’s not going to work out for the middle class New York taxpayer. It’s not going to work out anywhere.”

Key Timestamps

• [02:00] – JFK Courage Award, Twin Cities & immigration protests
• [04:20] – Minnesota Democrats halt ICE reporting bill
• [08:51] – Trump gold coin news and debate
• [12:30] – Coin legality, gold content, collector’s value
• [15:01] – Trump PAC “private security briefings” fundraising
• [21:22] – Energy bills, nuclear power, American Experiment campaign
• [27:46] – Airline industry, TSA under government shutdown
• [38:06] – Kathy Hochul tax exodus, New York collapse, remote work
• [51:00] – News transitions, University of Minnesota’s new slogan banter
• [65:33] – Shift to sports, March Madness, Gophers, Wisconsin
• [84:44] – Chuck Norris death rumor jokes & “GL’er of the Week”

Tone & Style

• Conversational, irreverent, and skeptical.
• Strong localism mixed with big-picture gripes (“This used to be a hell of a country.”).
• Heavy use of sarcasm, running jokes, nostalgia, and crowd participation.
• Politically cynical: Both parties are “tribal,” out of touch, and selfish at everyone else’s expense.
• Frequent segues into Minnesota weather, local tips, and humorous asides.

Summary Takeaway

This Garage Logic episode distills the exasperation of the Midwest’s “common sense” crowd with both local and national politics. Through their trademark banter, the hosts decry the symbolism-over-substance of political stunts (like Trump’s coin), the endless tribal gridlock, and the grind it inflicts on everyday Americans—whether it’s TSA workers waiting on a paycheck, taxpayers fleeing New York, or sports fans lamenting the ever-expanding March Madness field. The episode is rich with inside jokes, local color, and no-nonsense calls for actual leadership.

For listeners:
Expect sharp wit, biting commentary on the politics of the day, unique local color, and plenty of laughs about the ever-changing (and often absurd) state of the nation.