In a startling announcement on his Truth Social platform, President Trump declared that he is directing relevant government agencies to revive Alcatraz, the notorious prison on Alcatraz Island, which was shut down in 1963. The initiative, he stated, aims to address the issues of repeat offenders and violent crime, suggesting that the reopening would symbolize a renewed commitment to law and order in the nation.
"Today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, alongside the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz," Trump asserted. “This facility would house America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.”
This announcement comes amid controversy surrounding Trump's strategies to combat crime, including his decision to send alleged gang members to prisons abroad, such as a recent transport of over 200 Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. Trump's proposition of utilizing Alcatraz further adds to his controversial practices.
Initially built as a naval defense fort, Alcatraz was renovated into a military prison in the early 20th century after being taken over by the Department of Justice in the 1930s. The island is infamous for housing notorious criminals such as Al Capone, Mickey Cohen, and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, gaining additional fame from cinematic portrayals, including the 1962 classic “Birdman of Alcatraz,” starring Burt Lancaster, and “The Rock,” featuring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.
Despite the exciting historical and cultural significance of Alcatraz, operational costs led to its closure, as maintaining the facility became prohibitive; its expenses were estimated to be nearly three times greater than any other federal prison due to its isolated location.
