Jonathan Choe

Journalist and Senior Fellow, Center on Wealth and Poverty

Jonathan Choe is a journalist and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute's Center on Wealth and Poverty, covering homelessness issues for its Fix Homelessness initiative. Prior to joining Discovery, Choe spent several years as one of the lead reporters at KOMO-TV, consistently the top rated television station in Seattle. His in depth stories on crime and deep dive investigations into the homeless crisis led to measurable results in the community, including changes in public policy.

Choe has more than two decades of experience in television news behind the scenes and in front of the camera for ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and Tribune. He has also been been nominated and honored with multiple industry awards including an Emmy. Choe spent several years teaching classes on emerging media and entreprenuership to under privileged youth in inner city Chicago.

As an independent journalist, Choe also contributes regularly to the Mill Creek View and Lynnwood Times and has reported on exclusive stories in the past year for Daily Wire and The Postmillennial.

Choe is a New England native and Boston University journalism school graduate.

Archives

King County Metro: Ride At Your Own Risk

Jonathan Choe
July 16, 2025
Latest Incident Why would anyone want to take a King County Metro bus in Seattle? Riders say they have to share space with homeless fentanyl addicts and the mentally ill. Here is the latest incident where this fella went on a profanity laced bender, bashing his head into the window several times. He’s apparently a regular on the E and H lines. Even after numerous complaints about public safety, riders say the agency only responds with robo emails. In other words, ride at your own risk. …

Man Revived on Seattle Street After Close Call with Fentanyl-Laced Meth

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
Breaking Addicts say a new batch of fentanyl laced with meth, insect repellant, and rat poison is hitting the streets of Seattle. Late Tuesday evening, I was reporting in Chinatown-ID and saw a group of people struggling to revive a man laid out on the sidewalk. Even after multiple hits of Narcan, the guy was barely breathing. So I assisted with a sternum rub which helped bring him back to his senses. Mayor Bruce Harrell and every politician in the city must acknowledge the drug crisis is out of control. This has nothing to do with a lack of affordable housing. Everyone I talked to this evening had a place to go. Stop conflating the two issues. An entire generation is being wiped out on their watch. The current plan is not working. …

Disturbing Scenes on the Streets of Seattle Show Drug Addiction Crisis

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
Horror Show Parts of Seattle remain a horror show. From sex trafficking out of tents to overdose deaths on the streets, the human suffering in neighborhoods like Chinatown-ID remain off the charts. Late Tuesday evening, I followed Andrea Suarez as she tried to get multiple people into detox and treatment. But they all refused. Law enforcement shows up on occasion and moves people along. But the addicts and dealers return once officers leave. Meanwhile, Mayor Bruce Harrell and city agencies remain paralyzed. It’s now been nearly four years of failure under his watch as the drug crisis spirals out of control. Until you see the city’s elected officials walking these dangerous streets, don’t believe anything they say on this matter. The current plan is not …

Seattle Sweeps RV Encampment, Allows RVs to Come Back in Endless Cycle

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
No Permanent Solution More taxpayer dollars being wasted on another RV encampment sweep Wednesday morning in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. This is the same spot that’s been cleared dozens of times under Mayor Bruce Harrell’s watch. Instead of finding a permanent solution, Harrell will likely allow them to come right back in a few hours. During the past five years, I have personally covered at least 20 sweeps in this very same spot. This is the craziest cycle I have ever witnessed in my career. I’m not saying the RVs should be allowed to stay. As usual, there have been reports of drug dealing, sex trafficking, and assaults at this encampment. But the current plan is not working. …

We Heart Seattle Attempts to Assist Woman Undressing on Seattle Sidewalk

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
Lost to Drugs The street crisis in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood is being fueled by drugs and mental illness. Some of the city funded non-profits like REACH and Plymouth Housing also have a presence in this neighborhood. Critics say their clients are the ones running wild on the streets and causing most of the problems. Late Tuesday evening, Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle tried to help a woman undressing on the sidewalk. But she was lost in her drug-induced mania. …

Seattle’s Belltown Neighborhood Overrun by Homelessness and Addiction

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
Social Services Row Crime, chaos, and death sums up what’s happening in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. The cross streets near social service providers like Plymouth Housing and REACH continue to be the root of all drug-related problems. They are both notorious pushers of the failed “harm reduction” and Housing First policies that have led to even higher rates of homelessness and drug overdose deaths in the region. Making matters worse, the Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) ordinance has been a total flop since it’s barely being enforced. …

Seattle Senior Citizens Carry “Taser Canes”

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
Criminal Playground Senior citizens say they are scared to walk around parts of Seattle. The city has turned into a criminal’s playground under Mayor Bruce Harrell. So some of them are now carrying “taser canes.” We Heart Seattle’s Andrea Suarez got a demonstration. I think I need one as well. …

Homeless Woman Suffering from Frostbite Ignored on Seattle Street

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
Where Are City Workers? Hundreds of people are walking past a homeless woman in downtown Seattle suffering from frostbite. She’s missing fingers and toes. We Heart Seattle’s Andrea Suarez is the only outreach worker who’s stopping to help. Where are the city funded workers? I got her a burger and we walked to a nearby women’s shelter where she can hang and shower and hopefully sleep. Angeline’s is an excellent resource for walk-ins and typically has beds. It just takes a little extra time and because I love food so much believe that GOOD food vs.…— We Heart Seattle (@weheartseattle) July 9, 2025 I wanted to share that I saw this woman right back out on Blanchard last night smoking Fentanyl. 😭— We Heart Seattle (@weheartseattle) …

Black Market of Stolen Goods Rides the King County Metro

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
Lawlessness Reigns It’s the worst kept secret in Seattle, but King County Metro buses are being used by criminals to transport stolen goods. The addicts tell me they like to ransack the downtown Target store, then bring the items back to 12th Ave and Jackson St. in Little Saigon. As I was conducting an interview, a dude got off the bus with a duffle bag and started flipping stolen sneakers, cologne, and promising to come back with even more items. The proceeds are then likely used to buy fentanyl or other illegal street drugs. Once again, no cops in sight. Mayor Bruce Harrell’s city remains a lawless playground. WHO'S BUYING? During investigation into Little Saigon's open air black market, I couldn't believe stuff being sold. From EBT cards to …

Mayor Bruce Harrell Answers Questions About Homelessness Amid Re-Election Campaign

Jonathan Choe
July 9, 2025
What Does Harrell Plan To Do? Nearly four years ago, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell campaigned on the promise of making a serious dent in the city’s homeless drug crisis. But under his watch, there are more people living on the streets, the fentanyl epidemic remains out of control, and many encampments that were cleared are now repopulating. So this evening, I asked him what he plans to do about this ongoing issue that could become a political liability for his re-election campaign. #BREAKING: Addicts say a new batch of fentanyl laced with meth, insect repellant, and rat poison is hitting the streets of Seattle. Late Tuesday evening, I was reporting in Chinatown-ID and saw a group of people struggling to revive a man laid out on the sidewalk. Even after… …

Drug Crisis Ravages Seattle’s Streets

Jonathan Choe
July 4, 2025
Seattle Overwhelmed As Seattle prepares for 4th of July festivities, an American tragedy is unfolding on its streets. From downtown to Chinatown-ID, Mayor Bruce Harrell’s administration is overwhelmed by the drug crisis ravaging his city. No Coordination Among Agencies City Hall insiders say the current plan to address the human suffering is failing. Leadership and the agencies responsible for coming up with solutions are barely talking to each other. The bureaucracy is thick. Election Year But during an election year, insiders say Harrell has created a culture of fear in his office so no one wants to bring it up for debate or challenge the status quo. It could damage his campaign and hurt public relations. Housing First Leads to Devastation Harrell …

Tents and Open-Air Drug Use Greet Seattle’s Summer Tourists

Jonathan Choe
July 2, 2025
Happening Now Summer tourism season is underway in downtown Seattle and visitors are being greeted by brand new tents and open-air drug use. What an absolute embarrassment and disgrace for the city right before July 4th festivities. Even the elderly with walkers are struggling to navigate through this urban decay. Seriously, how can Mayor Bruce Harrell and D7 Councilmember Bob Kettle abdicate their responsibilities during one of the most important times of the year? Meanwhile, the drug den in front of controversial housing provider REACH is worse than ever. The only ones trying to save lives right now are outreach workers with We Heart Seattle. And they don’t even have a taxpayer funded city contract. Wild. NEW: For the past few weeks, the entire news cycle has …

WA Congresswoman Introduces Bill to Let Homeless People Camp on Federal Land

Jonathan Choe
July 1, 2025
Political Theater WA Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal just introduced a bill that allows homeless people to camp on federal land if they have no other options. This was simply political theater and won’t go anywhere. Here’s the real problem for Jayapal. Washington’s Homelessness Crisis Despite billions of dollars spent over the years, Washington state has the third largest homeless population in America with more than 31K people living on the streets. That’s likely an undercount. This is all happening under Jayapal’s watch. Jayapal’s Ideology Part of the problem is her far-left progressive ideology. Here’s what she recently told the Seattle Times: “Because I don’t think that homelessness is a failure of the individual,” …

New Seattle Fountains Used as Bubble Baths for the Homeless

Jonathan Choe
July 1, 2025
Money Gone to Waste Seattle spent more than $800 million on its waterfront revitalization project. Mayor Bruce Harrell said it would create a vibrant, accessible, and engaging public space. Today, new water fountains are being used as bubble baths for homeless drug addicts. …

Limousine Company Considers Avoiding Seattle After Drug Addict Smashes Window

Jonathan Choe
June 29, 2025
Downtown Chaos Hurts Business Owners The owner of a limousine service says he might be exiting Seattle after a homeless drug addict went on a rampage and trashed one of his vehicles. This happened right after clients were dropped off at the Post Malone and Jelly Roll concert in T-Mobile Park. Even though the suspect was arrested, the limo owner is now blasting Mayor Bruce Harrell for enabling chaos on the streets which continues to hurt small business owners. Lake Tapps Limousine The trashed limo will be out of commission for several weeks, which also takes away work from several drivers. Otherwise, Lake Tapps still serves the Seattle area and has high ratings. To support them during this time, hire them for a night out on the town. Lake Tapps Limo Website …

Seattle Deploys Murals and Twinkle Lights to Fight Crime

Jonathan Choe
June 25, 2025
3rd & Pine Gets a Makeover Instead of dealing with the root causes of the street crisis in downtown Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office is adding sidewalk paintings and pretty lights to the corner of 3rd Ave & Pine St. It’s considered one of the most dangerous street corners in the city. It’s home to McStabby’s and is a favorite spot for drug dealers. We Heart Seattle’s Andrea Suarez spotted the crews putting in the new art Wednesday afternoon. Will it make a difference? …

Seattle Hosts Club World Cup Matches Amid RVs, Tent Encampments, Open-Air Drug Use

Jonathan Choe
June 24, 2025
Welcome, Soccer Fans Lumen Field in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood hosted several Club World Cup matches this week. Instead of a clean and welcoming city, soccer fans heading to the stadium were treated to dozens of RV’s, tent encampments, and open-air drug use. From 3rd Ave to Utah Ave, these are the same vehicles cleared dozens of times by Mayor Bruce Harrell’s administration. After nearly four years in office, Harrell remains clueless on how to handle this unending street crisis. Sweeps aren’t working because all the campers are allowed to come right back. Taxpayers should be furious at the cost and the lack of proper enforcement. The current plan is not working. …

Newly Erected Fence at Former Joann Fabrics Forces Tents onto Streets

Jonathan Choe
June 24, 2025
Fencing Is Up! The fencing is up around the former Joann Fabrics location in Ballard. Problem is, all the homeless drug addicts are now spilling into the streets and some are sleeping overnight in Ballard Commons Park. Where’s Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Dan Strauss? This is now the city’s problems. NEW: Seattle's latest out of control drug encampment is the former Joann Fabrics site in Ballard. Business owners and neighbors say Mayor Bruce Harrell(@MayorofSeattle) and Councilmember Dan Strauss(@CMDanStrauss) have totally ignored this problem since this is happening on… pic.twitter.com/a6ENgATin4— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) June 24, 2025 …

Homeless Living Room Greets WNBA Fans in Seattle

Jonathan Choe
June 24, 2025
Welcome to Seattle Sold out crowd Tuesday evening to watch Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark take on the Seattle Storm. Instead of rolling out the red carpet for WNBA fans, indie music station KEXP, Climate Pledge Arena, and Mayor Bruce Harrell allowed a homeless fella to set up his entire living room on the sidewalk. Zero enforcement. What a way to showcase your city. …

Former Joann Fabrics Becomes Drug Den

Jonathan Choe
June 23, 2025
The City Turns a Blind Eye Seattle’s latest out-of-control drug encampment is the former Joann Fabrics site in Ballard. Business owners and neighbors say Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Dan Strauss have totally ignored this problem since this is happening on private property. But dozens of drug addicts have trashed the area and all the crime and chaos from this location keeps spilling into the side streets. Meanwhile, one guy living in a tent told me he’s rejecting free housing because the provider requires all dogs to be neutered. Make it make sense. …