KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

‘A violation of the constitution’: Curley reacts after ‘unusual’ suspect arrested for stealing millionaires’ tax petition signatures

Jun 10, 2026, 7:26 PM

A man caught on video allegedly stealing signatures from a petition to repeal Washington’s millionaires’ tax has been arrested.

KIRO host John Curley reacted to the incident, in which a man allegedly took signature sheets from a woman collecting them outside a Safeway in Puyallup.

“This is what democracy looks like, according to this guy,” Curley said on “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “So you’re a big guy, you can walk in, you push a lady out of the way, because might makes right, and you collect, you grab the signatures, and you get in your truck, and you drive away.”

Curley pointed out the signature sheets contain private information, such as names and addresses. Beyond the theft of personal information, Curley argued the act was an attack on the constitutional right to petition the government.

“You’re stealing that, you are also taking a property … this is constitutional at this point, this is a violation of the constitution,” he said.

An ‘unusual’ suspect and the millionaires’ tax money trail

KIRO producer Joe Wallace pointed out the man doesn’t look like the usual type to harass signature gatherers.

“This guy is the antithesis of the typical signature protester,” he said. “It’s unusual.”

“You were giving credit for not having a purse,” Curley quipped.

“It’s nice to have some diversity in our protest,” Wallace responded.

Curley said the man is probably associated with a union in some way, as he would benefit from the millionaires’ tax.

“It’s coming to Washington, it’s going to go to Olympia, and then the people that get bought and paid for, I think they’re referred to as prostitutes, that are elected, bought with union money. They will then dole it out to all the groups,” he said.

“I’m just saying he looks like he was storming the Capitol on January 6,” Wallace responded.

“Glad we’re finding new people to violate the laws,” Curley replied.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to John Curley weekday afternoons from 3 – 7 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

John Curley on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to tom and curleyTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 3pm for The John Curley Show.

John Curley

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

I-638...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Who gets to question whether a girl is a girl?’: Gee and Ursula expect legal fight as Seattle School Board weighs suing over I-638

The Seattle School Board could vote Monday to take legal action against I-638, a ban on transgender girls competing in girls' school sports.

9 hours ago

ferguson nba commissioner...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘This feels like very bad news’: Jake questions Seattle’s NBA expansion chances after Ferguson’s latest meeting with Adam Silver

Gov. Bob Ferguson's meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver raises concerns about Seattle's chances for a SuperSonics return.

17 hours ago

A full shopping cart is seen at Walmart. (Photo: Will Newton, Getty Images)...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘You can’t budget your rent’: Gee challenges budgeting advice as WA tops the nation in estimated grocery spending

Washington residents face high grocery costs, raising questions over traditional budgeting advice. Explore the financial implications.

20 hours ago

seattle center diwali festival...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Kids danced at Seattle Center’s Diwali festival. 2 men showed up with racist signs

Saturday at the Seattle Center Armory, kids were dancing on stage at Diwali. Then two men walked in with American flags. One sign used a slur for Indian people.

20 hours ago

Seattle restaurant revel la palma price...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘The prices here are outrageous’: Gee and Ursula discuss Seattle dining costs as her favorite restaurant closes

Ursula's favorite Seattle restaurant is closing, and Gee Scott sees a broader problem behind the struggles facing local dining spots: higher prices.

2 days ago

holiday travel costs relatives airline airfares...

John Curley Show

‘It’s outrageous’: KIRO hosts say rising airfares are putting family visits out of reach

Rising airfares are making family visits harder to afford, KIRO hosts describe the tension between travel costs and spending time with relatives.

2 days ago

‘A violation of the constitution’: Curley reacts after ‘unusual’ suspect arrested for stealing millionaires’ tax petition signatures