Trump orders reopening of notorious Alcatraz prison -

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May 4, USA: President Donald Trump announced on May 4, he plans to reopen and enlarge the notorious Alcatraz prison, on an island off San Francisco. In a post on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump said the plan is to isolate “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” President Donald Trump announced on May 4, 2025, that he plans to reopen and enlarge the notorious Alcatraz prison, on an island in San Francisco.

In a post on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump said the plan is to isolate “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders” and reclaim a symbol of “Law, Order, and JUSTICE”.

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was in use from 1934 to 1963 and held infamous gangsters such as AI Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. It was shut down because of expensive maintenance and has since been made into a big tourist destination and national historic landmark under the National Park Service.

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Trump instructed several agencies, such as the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Homeland Security, to start the project. He called for isolating violent repeat offenders and condemned “radicalized judges” for making the judicial process more complicated, even proposing a redesigned prison to accommodate such judges.

Critics such as Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi raised eyebrows over the feasibility and legality of the action. Pelosi called reopening Alcatraz “not a serious proposal” and pointed out that it is an existing national park with protected status and a huge tourist destination.

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The Bureau of Prisons, already reeling from scandals, manpower shortages and recent shutdowns of other antiquated facilities, would find it very difficult to modernize Alcatraz logistically and financially. Plans’ feasibility, legality, and expense are hugely controversial.

Trump’s declaration is part of a wider effort to transform incarceration, including contentious propositions such as sending prisoners overseas or to Guantanamo Bay. Reopening Alcatraz highlights his administration’s dedication to a hardline crime policy and is designed to be a symbol of strict law enforcement.

As the plan progresses, one can only imagine how the administration will deal with the enormous hurdles involved in reactivating a plant that was closed for more than six decades and is today a beloved historic landmark. Keep reading Questiqa US for more news.