Trump Calls for Reopening and Expanding Alcatraz to House Violent Criminals
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump made headlines Sunday evening with a bold social media announcement calling for the reopening and expansion of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary to detain America’s most dangerous and violent criminals.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated:
“Rebuild and open Alcatraz. For far too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders… No longer will we tolerate the serial offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”
Trump said he has directed the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security to work together on reestablishing a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz” facility.
The infamous prison, located on an island in the San Francisco Bay, was closed in 1963 and has since been operated as a national park and popular tourist site under the management of the National Park Service. Known for its harsh conditions and high-profile inmates—including Al Capone—Alcatraz is also remembered for a dramatic 1962 prison escape that remains shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories.
The proposal comes as Trump continues to campaign on a tough-on-crime platform, amid ongoing clashes with the courts over criminal justice issues. His recent comments also reference controversial ideas about sending accused gang members and even American citizens to high-security prisons abroad without due process—moves that have drawn legal and political scrutiny.
Trump’s remarks coincide with his return to Washington, D.C., where Air Force One landed at Joint Base Andrews just before 8:00 p.m. ET. His arrival marks the start of a packed week that includes economic updates, immigration debates, and international diplomacy—highlighted by the visit of newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau last week.
As Trump prepares to address ongoing national issues, the Alcatraz proposal has already sparked public debate, with questions around legality, feasibility, and human rights implications. Federal officials have not yet released any formal response to the plan.
