Donald Trump Wants to Reopen Alcatraz — and He’s Named Who He Plans to Send There
The infamous island prison of Alcatraz hasn’t housed an inmate in over 60 years, but Donald Trump wants to bring “The Rock” back from the dead—and this time, he says, it’ll be bigger, tougher, and filled with what he calls America’s most dangerous offenders.
In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, Trump made waves with a dramatic proposal: reopen and expand the long-defunct prison off the coast of San Francisco to lock up violent criminals, gang members, and those he claims threaten public safety.
From Tourist Trap to Prison Fortress?
Today, Alcatraz is better known for tour groups than prison guards. Once a maximum-security federal penitentiary that held notorious figures like Al Capone and “Birdman” Robert Stroud, the island has transformed into one of California’s top tourist destinations, drawing over 1.5 million visitors a year.
Its closure in 1963 came after mounting political pressure, high maintenance costs, and one legendary escape. In 1962, three inmates vanished in a daring breakout attempt, sparking national debate and speculation that still lingers. Crumbling infrastructure and an outdated system sealed the island’s fate a year later.
Now, Trump wants to flip the script.
Trump’s Plan to Resurrect Alcatraz
On Sunday night, Trump posted the following message to Truth Social:
“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
He went on to say:
“That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”
Part of a Larger Crackdown
Trump’s announcement comes amid a wave of hardline proposals aimed at reforming America’s prison and immigration systems. Frustrated by what he calls “radicalized judges” delaying deportations and releasing repeat offenders, Trump wants sweeping changes—starting with how and where the country detains both criminals and immigration violators.
“Alcatraz has long been a symbol of law and order,” he added. “You know, it’s got quite a history.”
And he’s not stopping at Alcatraz. Trump recently proposed sending accused gang members to a Salvadoran prison without trial and wants to open a massive new facility at Guantanamo Bay to house up to 30,000 so-called “criminal aliens.”
Feasible or Fantasy?
Reopening Alcatraz, however, may not be so simple.
The island is now under the control of the National Park Service and designated as a major historic site. Reconstructing and reactivating a high-security prison there would involve enormous legal, logistical, and financial challenges—not to mention fierce political backlash.
A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons confirmed they will “comply with all Presidential Orders,” but declined to elaborate on whether reopening the island facility is realistic.
Critics, including Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi—whose district includes Alcatraz—were quick to dismiss the idea.
“It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction,” Pelosi said. “The President’s proposal is not a serious one.”
Law and Order, or Political Theater?
As Trump sharpens his rhetoric heading into campaign season, his call to resurrect one of America’s most notorious prisons adds fuel to the fire. Whether Alcatraz will ever house inmates again remains uncertain, but one thing’s clear: Trump is doubling down on tough-on-crime policies and using bold gestures to prove his point.
Whether you see it as a return to “law and order” or a dystopian publicity stunt, Trump’s latest move has reignited a conversation about crime, punishment, and what symbols we use to define justice.
So what do you think—should Alcatraz ever open its doors again, or should it stay locked in the past?