Donald Trump Says Alcatraz Prison Will Be Rebuilt and Reopened

Donald Trump is reopening one of the nation’s most notorious prisons after his administration’s plans to deport and imprison American people abroad raised concerns.

The president declared plans on Sunday to “rebuild and open” the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, which is located on an island off the coast of San Francisco and has been run by the National Park Service since 1972 after being closed since 1963.

“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! 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,” he wrote on Truth Social. “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. No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”

Trump added, “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. 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!”

The Bureau of Prisons “will comply with all Presidential Orders,” an Associated Press representative said.

Alcatraz, often known as The Rock, was infamous for it’s seclusion amid the frigid, harsh, and shark-infested waters of the San Francisco Bay during its 1934–1963 operation. During that period, at least 36 men tried to flee, but almost all of them were killed or captured. Since then, the prison has appeared in movies including Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), Escape from Alcatraz (1979), and The Rock (1996). It has also been used as a location for many more films and has been a popular tourist destination for many years.

To house up to 30,000 immigrants deported from the United States, whom the president referred to as “the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people,” Trump ordered the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to reopen a detention facility at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba in January.

Most recently, the Trump administration came under fire for allegedly transporting more than 200 Venezuela gang members to an infamous mega-prison in El Salvador without following the proper processes.

“The homegrowns are next, the homegrowns. You’ve got to build about five more places,” said Trump last month of plans to jail U.S. citizens abroad.