Jonathan Choe

Journalist and Senior Fellow, Center on Wealth & 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

Seattle’s Lewis Park Cleared Out, Closed Due to Drug and Criminal Activity

Developing As I first reported last month, the notorious Lewis Park drug den in Seattle is finally being shut down. This morning, city crews and cops booted everyone off the premises. Socialist Mayor Katie Wilson has allowed this hell hole to fester for months. Honduran fentanyl dealers used the deep woods and cover of darkness to prey on addicts. Multiple women were sexually assaulted. Fires raged out of control. The question now, where is everyone headed? We Heart Seattle is on the ground doing outreach. This is a developing story. BREAKING: After hundreds of community complaints, Seattle leaders are finally shutting down the city's most notorious drug den. During Wednesday's south precinct public safety meeting, officials said Lewis Park in North

Homeless Squatters May Be to Blame for Historic Portland Building Fire

“This Fire Could Have Been Prevented” Sources say the inferno that torched the Centennial Mills building in Portland’s Pearl District over the weekend may have been caused by homeless squatters. Kevin Dahlgren and I have been reporting on the ground and talked to witnesses who watched in horror as the historic 116-year-old abandoned structure went up on flames.

False Alarm at Plymouth Housing: Jonathan Choe Not on the Premises

Living Rent Free I am sifting through dozens of 911 calls triggered by the chaotic Plymouth Housing/PorchLight facility in Bellevue. It sounds like police dispatchers thought I was trespassing on the property this week. Stop racially profiling me. Not all Asian guys look the same. It wasn’t me! Otherwise, neighbors and business owners say they are livid about this taxpayer funded homeless hell hole since staff turn a blind eye to fentanyl use in rooms. It also remains a favorite destination for convicted criminals. Both organizations have trespassed me after I exposed all the bad behavior spilling into the community. **I’ve attached my photo for future reference.** EXCLUSIVE: The City of Bellevue just released its latest report on the public

Volunteers Continue Fighting Theft While City Sits on Its Hands

Citizens to the Rescue The legends are back. Bellevue community watch volunteers are fighting crime and stopping thieves at the QFC grocery store in Crossroads. Witnesses say two suspected drug addicts tried to take off with stolen items this week. But they were immediately chased down and forced to give up the goods. What’s even more pathetic, the dude tries to save himself and leaves his female accomplice behind. What a loser.

Community Volunteers Stop Elderly Woman from Shoplifting, Offer Services

Sad Situation The Bellevue community watch volunteers are doing an invaluable service by hunting down crooks who ransack local grocery stores. On many occasions, the stolen goods end up being sold for pennies on the dollar in Seattle so drug addicts can buy their next fix. But sometimes the thieves are local grandmas, like this woman who allegedly loaded up her cart with all kinds of stolen items. The community watch volunteer was firm but gentle. In the end, she pretty much admitted to the crime and inquired about getting more government subsidies. NEW: The legends are back. Bellevue community watch volunteers are fighting crime and stopping thieves at the QFC grocery store in Crossroads. Witnesses say two suspected drug addicts tried to take off with stolen items

Volunteers Stop Man from Stealing Nearly $200 in Meat from Grocery Store

Another One Busted Bellevue community watch volunteers busted another fella this week. Young man allegedly tried to getaway with expensive steaks. But he was caught red handed and just walked away. Many of these stolen items end up in Seattle’s black market in Chinatown-ID. Homeless drug addicts steal and sell this stuff for pennies on the dollar to fuel their fetty and meth habit. SAD SITUATION: The Bellevue community watch volunteers are doing an invaluable service by hunting down crooks who ransack local grocery stores. On many occasions, the stolen goods end up being sold for pennies on the dollar in Seattle so drug addicts can buy their next fix. But… https://t.co/g1Qf3lEsVt pic.twitter.com/2fphIQ7LNs— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) August 2, 2026

After Failure to Address Dangerous Encampment, Tents Go Up in Flames

Mayhem Another drug encampment inferno engulfed multiple tents in Seattle’s Mount Baker neighborhood over the weekend. Angry neighbors warned socialist Mayor Katie Wilson this would happen. Instead, city workers dropped off concrete blocks to keep the addicts away. It clearly did not work. We Heart Seattle’s Andrea Suarez has been doing outreach in this part of the city that’s now dealing with a massive inflow of vagrants. So much for the American Dream.This small landlord couple is speaking out on Seattle and Washington’s failed policies. Crime pushed out their renters. Now the city is citing them for the vandalism left behind.One personal story that exposes every policy failure. 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/6ZtsTCd895— We Heart Seattle

Drug Addiction and Destruction on DESC’s Doorstep

A Destructive Ecosystem The Downtown Emergency Service Center cancer is spreading across Seattle. This latest incident at DESC’s Hobson Place perfectly encompasses what’s wrong with Housing First policies and permanent supportive housing. There is an elderly woman who has to share a floor with fentanyl dealers and drug addicts. Why is this vulnerable woman living in a place like this? Was this the only option for her in the final years of her life? What responsibility does taxpayer funded DESC have in keeping senior citizens safe in their facilities? I could go on and on. Then right in front of Hobson Place, people are smoking fentanyl and partying on the sidewalk. Down the block, there is another massive tent encampment where DESC residents buy and sell

Sacramento’s Arcade Creek Littered with Homeless Encampment Trash Again

Another Hot Mess After only a month, homeless drug addicts have returned to the Arcade Creek drainage channel in North Sacramento. They’ve left another hot mess. This flows into some of the most important waterways in the city. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is once again tasked with enforcing this disaster. Taxpayer resources are being wasted again. Where are all the environmentalists in CA? Why isn’t Governor Gavin Newsom moving on this right now? REPLAY: Sacramento's precious waterways are being destroyed by homeless drug addicts. But city, county, and state agencies are all paralyzed and no one wants to take the lead to solve the problem. So a group of senior citizens and volunteers are taking matters into their own…

Chinatown-ID Residents Protest Mayor Wilson’s Neglect During FIFA World Cup Game

This Is Just the Beginning Chinatown-ID demonstrators came out in full force today, even bringing dozens of senior citizens to blast Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. On this final day of the World Cup, they accuse Wilson of shoving homeless drug addicts into their community, costing them millions in tourism dollars. But CID organizers say this is just the beginning of their fight. Expect more protests until the mayor shows up to fix this crisis on the streets. BREAKING: Another drug overdose in Seattle's Chinatown-ID just minutes from the FIFA World Cup watch party at Hing Hay Park. I did my usual rounds at 12th Ave & Jackson St where first responders revived the fentanyl addict. As frustrated neighbors stepped around the… pic.twitter.com/HeIOOp1AFA—

Down the Street from the World Cup, Another Overdose

A Frustrated Community Another drug overdose in Seattle’s Chinatown-ID just minutes from the FIFA World Cup watch party at Hing Hay Park. I did my usual rounds at 12th Ave & Jackson St where first responders revived the fentanyl addict. As frustrated neighbors stepped around the unconscious man, an entitled junkie got in my face and tried to stop me from recording. Thank God an SPD officer broke things up before the situation escalated. Then a neighbor getting off the bus yelled, “stop rescuing him, he’s just going to OD down the street.” The frustration is palpable. CID is a powder keg about to explode. Meanwhile, socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is MIA.

Chinatown-ID Residents Accuse Mayor Wilson of Dumping Crime into Neighborhood for World Cup

At War Chinatown-ID is going to war with socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. CID leaders are now pumping out protest signs with a red X mark crossing out Wilson’s face. They say she’s dumped the city’s homeless drug addicts into their Asian American neighborhood to protect World Cup fans from secondhand fentanyl smoke and the human wreckage on the streets. I’ve got more from today’s demonstration coming up. BREAKING: Another drug overdose in Seattle's Chinatown-ID just minutes from the FIFA World Cup watch party at Hing Hay Park. I did my usual rounds at 12th Ave & Jackson St where first responders revived the fentanyl addict. As frustrated neighbors stepped around the… pic.twitter.com/HeIOOp1AFA— Jonathan Choe

Chinatown-ID Residents Protest Seattle Mayor Ahead of World Cup Game

Protest Season Chinatown-ID leaders are calling Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson a racist, a liar, and incompetent for allowing this Asian American neighborhood to spiral into chaos during the World Cup. On Wednesday, they marched and held a press conference to put Wilson on notice. Next Monday, they are going to war. NEW: Team USA will be playing on Monday in Seattle. Expect a mega protest against Mayor Katie Wilson and the city. Chinatown-ID residents accuse Wilson of pushing homeless drug addicts into their community so downtown tourists won't have to see the street crisis. The CID has… https://t.co/O09cIw9U4L pic.twitter.com/KfHmY4zyWb— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) July 2, 2026

Community Fights for Chinatown-ID While City Leaders Look the Other Way

Enough is Enough Team USA will be playing on Monday in Seattle. Expect a mega protest against Mayor Katie Wilson and the city. Chinatown-ID residents accuse Wilson of pushing homeless drug addicts into their community so downtown tourists won’t have to see the street crisis. The CID has had enough. NEW: It’s go time for Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. Mayor Katie Wilson is now on notice. @MayorofSeattle https://t.co/QkPmSwuqmw pic.twitter.com/ulaAHgLYpn— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) July 1, 2026

Chinatown Residents Rebuke “White City Leaders Who Only Come to the CID for Dim Sum”

Historic District Neglected Chinatown-ID advocates just torched Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, calling her a “racist” for allowing the neighborhood to devolve into a human dumping ground. Dozens of Asian Americans and their allies marched to the World Cup stadium today to say they’re missing out on invaluable foot traffic because Wilson (a WHITE woman) shoved homeless drug addicts into the CID. Here’s a quick preview. More to come. BREAKING: Seattle’s Chinatown-ID has lost all faith in Mayor Katie Wilson. Neighbors and biz owners are rallying on Wednesday and holding a press conference near the World Cup stadium before the game. Community activist Tanya Woo says enough is enough. Woo says restaurants and… https://t.co/JIr2TPmDwD pic.twitter.com/bQP6peo1SP—

The Spread of Open-Air Drug Use in Seattle

No Enforcement Homeless drug addicts in Seattle already own 12th Ave & Jackson St in Chinatown-ID. But they’re now trying to capture the corner of 12th Ave & Lane St. Mayor Katie Wilson is MIA and has abandoned this part of the city. Humanitarian Crisis As Seattle prepares for another World Cup game this afternoon, look at the humanitarian crisis happening in Chinatown-ID just a few minutes away. Mayor Katie Wilson has pushed all the homeless drug addicts into this Asian-American neighborhood so tourists don’t have to see the carnage. That’s why community leaders are protesting the mayor this afternoon, demanding immediate change. Meanwhile, a drug addict tells me he could be a victim of tranq fentanyl. His leg is starting to rot

Seattle Pride Parade Goers Dodge Homeless Encampments on Sidewalks

A New Level of Inclusivity Seattle truly is an inclusive city. Mayor Katie Wilson allowed homeless drug addicts to participate in the Pride Parade. Btw, this group in front of the Space Needle is a feisty bunch. One of the old timers playing with Pokemon cards called me a f*ggot. My Take on Seattle’s Pride Parade. Ban Camping. Enough is enough. 🤦‍♀️ @Pride @GovBobFerguson @MayorofSeattle pic.twitter.com/N8eGT9RNJt— We Heart Seattle (@weheartseattle) June 29, 2026

Drug Hotspots Just as Lively as Ever After Seattle Mayor Says Activity “No Longer Tolerated”

Zero Enforcement Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson lied to the people of Chinatown-ID. Just last week Wilson said, “We will no longer tolerate open-air drug sale and use and vending stolen goods.” But late Friday evening, dozens of homeless drug addicts returned to 12th Ave & Jackson St. They’ve turned this corner into a drug den. No police enforcement. The mayor is accused of using this Asian-American neighborhood as a human dumping ground and containment zone for the city. Whatever it takes to protect World Cup fans. NEW: Seattle's first World Cup match is in the the books, but parts of the city look like a Third World country. That's because Mayor Katie Wilson is accused of sacrificing Chinatown-ID by pushing the city's homeless