Trump Wants Alcatraz Back: ‘The Rock’ to Cage America’s Worst?

[CharlieH]

 

 

President Donald Trump has stunned America with plans to reopen Alcatraz, the notorious island prison off San Francisco’s coast. Posting on Truth Social, President Trump said he’s ordering federal agencies to revive and expand “The Rock” as a fortress for the country’s most violent offenders.

 

Trump claims America has suffered too long at the hands of repeat criminals and vows Alcatraz will stand as a symbol of law, order, and justice. He wants the Bureau of Prisons, Justice Department, FBI, and Homeland Security to overhaul the historic site for the toughest inmates.

Alcatraz, closed since 1963, has been a top tourist destination for decades. Once infamous for holding mobsters like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, the prison gained even more notoriety through films like Birdman of Alcatraz and Escape from Alcatraz. Federal authorities closed it due to staggering costs—running Alcatraz was nearly three times pricier than any other US penitentiary because of its isolated island location.

 

Democratic leaders have swiftly shot down Trump’s proposal. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the idea “not a serious one,” while San Francisco state senator Scott Wiener branded it “deeply unhinged” and an attack on the rule of law. Experts note that the federal prison population has dropped by 25% from its peak, with plenty of space still available in existing facilities.

 

Alcatraz’s legacy began as a military hold before the Department of Justice made it a federal prison in the 1930s. Recently, it has been a symbol rather than a lockup. Trump’s move comes as he faces ongoing clashes with the courts over sending alleged gang members to overseas prisons.

Reopening Alcatraz would demand massive spending and changes to prison policy. Debate rages on as the fate of America’s most iconic prison remains uncertain.

 

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from BBC   2025-05-05

 

 

 

 

 

[Rimmer]

I went there many years back maybe 1980, it will need a lot of work to bring it back up to working level as it was falling into the sea back then. 

 

 

[Trippy]

Trump is nuts.

[Hummin]

Smart, take a tourist hot spot, and turn it back in to the most expensive prison in the world. 

 

Another Brilliant impulsive thought from the great president.

[Harrisfan]

Escape from Alcatraz was a great movie.

[CharlieH]

14 minutes ago, Trippy said:

What was Trump's actual and complete post?

Refer to the video at the foot of the report.

[riclag]

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Escape from Alcatraz was a great movie.

 

Alcatraz at its finest was for bad bad people . criminal terrorist Illegals would fit in.

 

[Trippy]

1 minute ago, CharlieH said:

Refer to the video at the foot of the report.

Yes, I just watched it, so I changed my post. Thanks

[HighPriority]

He should be careful what he wishes for, I hope he’s picked out a room with a nice view…

[josephbloggs]

6 minutes ago, riclag said:

 

Alcatraz at its finest was for bad bad people . criminal terrorist Illegals would fit in.

 

You're obsessed with "illegals". It's not healthy.

[unblocktheplanet]

9 minutes ago, riclag said:

 

Alcatraz at its finest was for bad bad people . criminal terrorist Illegals would fit in.

 

And mobsters ike Trump & Musk! Brilliant! DOGE saves more spending...

[SunnyinBangrak]

Special dungeons for all the woke judges i hope. This Alcatraz 2.0 is yet more pure genius from DJT. 

[Hummin]

When American citizens understand how to treat people as humans, not animals, there might be hope for less violence, but I doubt it ever will be such mentality change.

 

Natives was treated as animals

Slaves was ,,,,,,,

Immigrants treated as animals

Other minorities becomes unwanted 

[Bannoi]

I thought he wanted to turn it into a Trump resort complete with hotel and casino

[theshu25]

3 minutes ago, Bannoi said:

I thought he wanted to turn it into a Trump resort complete with hotel and casino

He  would but he would he would send that broke like all his other failed bussinesses.

[Mason45]

Another one of Donny's brain farts.

[BLMFem]

1 minute ago, theshu25 said:

He  would but he would he would send that broke like all his other failed bussinesses.

And stiff all the small contractors.

[VR333]

As anyone who has ever been there knows, the place is small. It only held a few hundred prisoners. They'd need to demo it and rebuild it to modern standards. It would cost a fortune.

 

Then there is the loss of one of the most iconic tourist attractions in California. It brings in more than fifty million dollars in revenue a year, so it would be idiotic to throw that away for a small prison that will cost a mint to run. There is plenty of land in Nevada where you could build a new, larger supermax for way less.

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

He wants the Bureau of Prisons, Justice Department, FBI, and Homeland Security to overhaul the historic site for the toughest inmates.

Alcatraz, closed since 1963

 

Hub of Tweeting during morning poop.

[bunnydrops]

55 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Special dungeons for all the woke judges i hope. This Alcatraz 2.0 is yet more pure genius from DJT. 

You really should be a stand-up comedian.

[bunnydrops]

45 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

Another one of Donny's brain farts.

du jour!

[riclag]

2 hours ago, VR333 said:

As anyone who has ever been there knows, the place is small. It only held a few hundred prisoners. They'd need to demo it and rebuild it to modern standards. It would cost a fortune.

 

Then there is the loss of one of the most iconic tourist attractions in California. It brings in more than fifty million dollars in revenue a year, so it would be idiotic to throw that away for a small prison that will cost a mint to run. There is plenty of land in Nevada where you could build a new, larger supermax for way less.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, VR333 said:

As anyone who has ever been there knows, the place is small. It only held a few hundred prisoners. They'd need to demo it and rebuild it to modern standards. It would cost a fortune.

 

Then there is the loss of one of the most iconic tourist attractions in California. It brings in more than fifty million dollars in revenue a year, so it would be idiotic to throw that away for a small prison that will cost a mint to run. There is plenty of land in Nevada where you could build a new, larger supermax for way less.

 

 

Modernize the guard & staff housing as for societies misfits let them live in

it as is. The guards should get extra pay because of the harsh working conditions .Money talks.

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, Trippy said:

Trump is nuts.

Yes, he is. Soon he wants James Cagney back too, and will forbid cheese burgers.

[Hummin]

16 minutes ago, riclag said:

 

Modernize the guard & staff housing as for societies misfits let them live in

it as is. The guards should get extra pay because of the harsh working conditions .Money talks.

He might do a Don Escobar built his own prison, maybe he I thinking about the future own his own good?

[Negita43]

I expect he sees it as a "valuable piece of real estate" (and a bit less dangerous than Gaza).

Or maybe he's eyeing up his retirement home!

[placeholder]

5 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Special dungeons for all the woke judges i hope. This Alcatraz 2.0 is yet more pure genius from DJT. 

We need to lock up the Supreme Court!

[newbee2022]

He should have a cell there for himself in case he is an unwanted, outdated, impeached outcast next

[spidermike007]

With his record of stiffing small contractors, he likely would not be able to get anyone to work on the project! 

 

It is just another jingo. He loves the sloganeering. Trump is dumb. And impulsive. If it enters his small brain, he farts it out. 

[SunnyinBangrak]

35 minutes ago, placeholder said:

We need to lock up the Supreme Court!

At least that nutter that claims she doesn't know what a woman is.

[placeholder]

5 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

At least that nutter that claims she doesn't know what a woman is.

Deflecting much?