Trump Wants to Reopen and Expand Alcatraz as Federal Prison for Dangerous Criminals

Alcatraz Prison

Trump Proposes Rebuilding and Reopening Alcatraz to House Violent Offenders

On Sunday, former President Donald Trump announced via social media that he has instructed the Bureau of Prisons to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz, the infamous island prison off the coast of San Francisco, to detain “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.”

“I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially expanded and rebuilt ALCATRAZ,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It will be used to detain the most dangerous criminals in the country. We will no longer be at the mercy of criminals, thugs, and judges unwilling to enforce the law and remove illegal immigrants.”

Trump described the initiative as a symbolic move, declaring that a reopened Alcatraz would stand as a powerful emblem of “Law, Order, and JUSTICE.”

Later that day, speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump downplayed the proposal, suggesting it was a response to what he sees as obstacles in the judicial system. “It’s just an idea,” he said. “There are radicalized judges who want due process for every illegal immigrant—that could mean millions of trials.” He added that Alcatraz, though historically known for its harshness, remains “a symbol of law and order,” and suggested its reopening could be significant.

Alcatraz, which operated as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963, was shut down due to high maintenance costs. According to the Bureau of Prisons, it was nearly three times more expensive to run than other federal facilities, with an estimated $3 million to $5 million required just to maintain it.

Since its closure, Alcatraz has been managed by the National Park Service and functions as a major tourist attraction, drawing roughly 1.2 million visitors annually. In 1986, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. However, this status can be revoked if the site no longer meets the criteria for designation or if its historic character is lost or compromised.

CNN has reached out to the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Prisons for comment on the feasibility of the proposal.

The idea drew criticism from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes the island. “Alcatraz closed as a federal penitentiary more than sixty years ago. It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction,” Pelosi stated on X. “The President’s proposal is not a serious one.”

Interestingly, the notion of reopening Alcatraz had already surfaced shortly after Trump began his second term, when his administration signed an executive order related to migrant detention. At the time, Donald Trump Jr. commented on X, “Now this is a great idea. Maybe we should also reopen Alcatraz?!”