Trump says he is directing Bureau of Prisons to reopen Alcatraz to house ‘ruthless and violent offenders’
President Donald Trump announced his intention to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison to house the most violent offenders, citing it as a symbol of law, order, and justice. He criticized 'radicalized judges' for prioritizing due process for deported migrants, suggesting the reopening would counteract their influence. Alcatraz, a former federal penitentiary closed in 1963 due to high operational costs, is now a national park and tourist attraction. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed the proposal as unserious, highlighting Alcatraz's current status as a historical site. The idea of reopening Alcatraz had been previously suggested by Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., in the context of immigration policy discussions.
President Trump proposed reopening Alcatraz to house violent criminals, characterizing it as a response to judges who insist on due process for immigrants facing deportation.
Alcatraz, once a notorious federal penitentiary, was closed in 1963 due to prohibitive maintenance and operational costs, and has since been managed as a national park by the National Park Service.
Nancy Pelosi, representing the district containing Alcatraz, criticized Trump's proposal, emphasizing the site's transformation into a major tourist destination and historic landmark.
Trump's suggestion to reopen Alcatraz is framed as a measure against judicial leniency towards illegal immigrants, proposing a return to a hardline approach on crime and immigration.
The notion of reopening Alcatraz was previously hinted at by Donald Trump Jr., in alignment with broader immigration policy initiatives, reflecting ongoing discussions within the Trump family.
Alcatraz's designation as a National Historic Landmark could be reconsidered if its preservation criteria are unmet, though this would require a formal process by the Department of the Interior.
The high costs associated with operating Alcatraz as a prison, compared to other federal facilities, played a significant role in its original closure and remain a pertinent issue in discussions about its potential reopening.