US President Donald Trump has ordered the reopening of the infamous former prison, the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, which is located on Alcatraz Island. This small island is located in San Francisco Bay, California.
This famous old prison was built in the early 20th century to hold dangerous criminals. The prison closed in 1963. After that, the island became a tourist spot. Many people visit to learn its history.
Recently, there are rumors that former U.S. President Donald Trump plans to reopen Alcatraz. Some say he wants to use it again as a prison. Others believe it might be for political reasons or as a symbol of strength. There is no official or clear plan yet.
What is Alcatraz Island?
Source: ABC News
Alcatraz Island is a small, rocky island located in San Francisco Bay, California. It is best known for housing one of the most famous prisons in American history, the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
The island was originally established as a military site in the 1850s to protect the San Francisco harbor. Later, in 1934, it was turned into a maximum-security prison for dangerous criminals.
The prison operated until 1963, and it gained a notorious reputation for holding some of the country’s most notorious inmates.
Today, Alcatraz is a popular tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service. Visitors come to explore the prison ruins, learn about its history, and see stunning views of San Francisco.
Why Does Donald Trump Want to Reopen It?
President Trump just called for the notorious Alcatraz prison to be restored and reopened.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 4, 2025
He wants it to be reopened to house the most dangerous criminals in our country so that they literally cannot return to polite society to harm anyone ever again unless they swim through… pic.twitter.com/tV5GZNE5ml
This federal prison was closed due to its expensive operations budget. It was difficult to run the prison with such high costs, leading to the decision to shut it down.
However, in the previous weeks, Donald Trump has announced his intention to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the former maximum-security prison located on an island in San Francisco Bay.
He stated on his Truth Social platform that this move is necessary to address the issue of "vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders" in the United States, positioning the reopened facility as a "symbol of law, order, and justice".
Democrats have dismissed the proposal as unserious, noting that Alcatraz, which closed in 1963, currently functions as a popular tourist destination.
Trump's plan involves directing the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to undertake the reopening and significant expansion of Alcatraz to house "America's most ruthless and violent offenders".
NEW: Trump is ordering the reopening of the notorious Alcatraz prison.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) May 5, 2025
Trump intends to restore the prison in order to detain violent offenders and criminal aliens.
Do you agree with the president reopening the prison? pic.twitter.com/jqwhRXT1d6
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