Seattle Reporter Jonathan Choe Accuses Katie Wilson of Masking Homelessness Failures to Prepare for World Cup

The following article was originally published at Seattle Red 770 AM by author Jasneet Gill, covering one of Senior Fellow Jonathan Choe’s recent appearances on The Jason Rantz Show.

Investigative reporter Jonathan Choe is raising concerns over Seattle’s homelessness crisis, claiming that Mayor Katie Wilson’s new approach is failing to deliver real results.

Despite the Mayor’s recent public boasts about her progress, Choe argues that the city is actually stuck in a cycle of failed policies that are only making things worse as the 2026 World Cup approaches.

Claims of success vs. reality

During her State of the City address, Mayor Wilson took a “victory lap,” bragging about her ability to move people from the streets into housing. However, Choe’s reporting suggests these success stories are not what they seem. He highlighted the case of a woman the Mayor claimed to have personally helped, who ended up back in a tent because her city-approved housing was unlivable.

“One of the women that Mayor Wilson said she personally helped with three dogs, actually is still in a tent, and that’s because this woman…claims that the city connected her into a low income housing Institute, tiny house that was infested with mold, and the city offered no solution,” Choe told The Jason Rantz Show on Seattle Red 770 AM.

Choe noted that when he asked the Mayor about this specific case, she was left “speechless” and had no response.

The move to clear tourist areas

While the Mayor campaigned on a promise to stop “sweeping” homeless encampments, Choe points out that her administration is now doing exactly what the previous administration did.

He argues that the city is simply trying to hide the problem before international visitors arrive for the World Cup in three months. Instead of solving the issue, Choe says the city is just pushing people into different neighborhoods.

“We need to get the city ready for the FIFA World Cup that’s about three months away now, and I think that’s ultimately what’s motivating her,” Choe explained. “What they’re now trying to do is essentially clear out the tourist corridor downtown. So all of these problems are now being pushed to Chinatown. They’re being pushed to Belltown.”

No consequences for drug use

The crisis is being fueled by what Choe calls a “free-for-all” environment where there are no penalties for open-air drug use or illegal camping.

He reported that many people are traveling to Seattle from other cities because they know they won’t face arrest or be forced into treatment. According to Choe, the city has “zero solutions” for people who refuse help.

“Word is getting out into the community that Seattle is a free-for-all, no rules playground, and they won’t be prosecuted. They’re hoping, when they come here, not only can they score their drugs, that maybe they’re going to get permanent supportive housing…and throughout the process, there won’t be any consequences, no arrests, and no requirements to get into detox and treatment,” Choe warned.