Donald Trump has ordered the reopening of Alcatraz Prison in his continued bid to come down hard on criminals.
In a post to Truth Social on Sunday evening, Trump revealed that he’s directing the Bureau of Prisons, alongside the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen and expand Alcatraz — the island prison closed for more than 60 years.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“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 continued: “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.”
The announcement marks Trump’s latest push to overhaul how and where federal inmates — and immigration detainees — are locked up.
And he made no effort to downplay the symbolism behind choosing Alcatraz, a site that once imprisoned the likes of Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” Trump declared. “No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”
He also took aim at what he called soft judicial policies: “We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally.”
“The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he concluded.
Trump’s bold directive, however, faces massive logistical and financial hurdles. The original Alcatraz - located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco - was closed in 1963 not due to an epic escape (although that happened), but because of money. It was just too expensive to run, per AP.
The prison — nicknamed “The Rock” — needed $3–$5 million at the time to remain operational, and cost three times as much to operate as other prisons. Water alone had to be shipped in: over a million gallons per week. The daily per capita cost at Alcatraz was $10.10 versus just $3 at other facilities like USP Atlanta.
Bringing it back would require modern infrastructure upgrades, new security systems, and extensive investment — all on a remote island still controlled by the National Park Service, which has maintained the site as a major tourist attraction and National Historic Landmark since its closure.
A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed: “The agency will comply with all Presidential Orders,” but didn’t address how this could be done — or if it even can be.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was blunt: “It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction. The President’s proposal is not a serious one,” she wrote on X.