President Announces Reopening What?

President Trump announced Sunday that he has ordered the reopening of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the infamous island prison off the coast of San Francisco that closed more than six decades ago. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that the facility will be modernized, expanded, and used once again to house what he called America’s most violent and unredeemable criminals.

“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.”

He said this new chapter for Alcatraz will mark a turning point in how his administration addresses chronic repeat offenders. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Trump continued. “No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets. 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.”

Alcatraz Island, located less than two miles from San Francisco’s shore, was first developed in the mid-1800s and became a federal prison in 1934. It remained in use until 1963. Some of America’s most notorious inmates, including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, were once held there. It has since been operated as a historic site under the National Park Service.

Trump said the return of Alcatraz will serve as “a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE,” adding a familiar phrase to close his announcement: “We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The reopening of such a symbolically powerful site marks a significant shift in the administration’s approach to criminal justice and incarceration. The Bureau of Prisons had previously cited high maintenance and operating costs as the reason for Alcatraz’s closure, noting it was nearly three times as expensive to run compared to other federal prisons. The initial estimate to keep the facility operational ranged from $3 million to $5 million, not including daily costs.

With the directive now in motion, officials will face a range of logistical and financial hurdles to rebuild and secure the historic facility a move that underscores Trump’s hardline stance on crime and his efforts to dramatically reshape the American justice system.