In a bold and controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has directed federal agencies to rebuild and reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay. The prison, shuttered in 1963, once held some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone, and is now one of the country’s most visited tourist sites.
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“Rebuild, and Open Alcatraz!”
Trump made the announcement via his Truth Social platform, declaring, “When we were a more serious Nation… we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm.”
He further emphasized that the revamped prison would serve as a “symbol of law, order, and justice” and would house “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” He said the initiative would involve the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security in “reopening a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ.”
A Symbol of “Law and Order”
Speaking to reporters while returning to the White House from Florida, Trump characterized the idea as something he had “just thought of” and decided to pursue. He referred to Alcatraz as a symbol of a tougher era in American criminal justice, saying, “It’s a symbol of law and order.”
This move comes as part of a broader law-and-order message the president has been pushing, which has included controversial proposals such as sending alleged gang members to foreign prisons. In March, he reportedly transferred over 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members to a facility in El Salvador.
History of ‘The Rock’
Alcatraz Island, located near San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, originally served as a military fortress before being converted into a military prison in the early 20th century. In 1936, it came under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and became a maximum-security federal penitentiary. It gained notoriety for its harsh conditions and its list of infamous inmates, including George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Mickey Cohen.
Despite multiple escape attempts, no prisoner was ever officially recorded as having successfully escaped. However, five inmates are listed as “missing and presumed drowned.” Alcatraz’s closure in 1963 was largely due to high operational costs—it was nearly three times more expensive to run than other federal prisons, largely because of its isolated island location.
Backlash from Democrats and Experts
Trump’s announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders and legal experts. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes Alcatraz, dismissed the plan, calling it “not a serious one.” She noted that the former prison is now a major national park and popular tourist destination. California State Senator Scott Wiener labeled the proposal “deeply unhinged” and “an attack on the rule of law.”
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Professor Gabriel Jack Chin from UC Davis School of Law added that the federal prison system currently has a surplus of capacity and doesn’t need a new facility. “There are a lot of empty beds,” Chin said. “It’s not clear if a new one is needed.” He added that Trump appears to be using Alcatraz’s tough reputation to reinforce his political message.