Donald Trump said he would reopen and expand the notorious Alcatraz prison off the coast of California. 

The U.S. president has directed various government departments to reopen Alcatraz “to house America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested the move was connected to recent court battles over migrants being deported to El Salvador. 

Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz prison, which is currently a tourist attraction

Image credits: Getty Images

“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,” Trump wrote. 

The Trump administration has deported hundreds of migrants to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador under a historic law. 

Last week, a federal court in southern Texas blocked the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged gang members. 

In a Sunday post on social media, Trump announced his new plans for Alcatraz. 

Image credits: The White House

“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.

“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.” 

The post 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.”

Image credits: Donald Trump

“The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE. We will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” he added.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Sunday evening, Trump said he announced the plans because many “radicalized judges” wanted to have trials for migrants being deported. 

“It’s a symbol of law and order, and it’s got quite a history, frankly—so I think we’re going to do that, and we’re looking at it right now,” he said.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the proposal was not serious.

Alcatraz closed over 60 years ago due to high operating costs

Image credits: SpeakerPelosi

“Alcatraz closed as a federal penitentiary more than sixty years ago,” she posted on X.

“It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction. The President’s proposal is not a serious one.”

But far-right political activist Laura Loomer welcomed the plan. 

“President Trump just called for the notorious Alcatraz prison to be restored and reopened,” she posted on X. 

“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 the shark infested waters outside of Alcatraz prison.” 

President Trump just called for the notorious Alcatraz prison to be restored and reopened.

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

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 4, 2025

Alcatraz was closed as a federal penitentiary more than 60 years ago due to high operating costs.

An estimated $3 million to $5 million was needed just for restoration and maintenance work to keep the prison open, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

And this did not include daily operating costs: Alcatraz was nearly three times more expensive to operate than any other federal prison. 

Alcatraz, also known as The Rock, housed several well-known criminals, such as Al Capone, George ‘Machine-Gun’ Kelly, Alvin Karpis, and Arthur ‘Doc’ Barker. 

Image credits: Getty Images

The prison had a capacity of 336, but the population never reached that number, with average numbers being around 260 to 275 prisoners.

When Alcatraz was opened between 1934 and 1963, there were 14 escape attempts involving 36 men. 

None officially made it, but to this day, there are five prisoners listed as “missing and presumed drowned.”

The island is now a national park and has been open to the public since 1973. 

It is a popular tourist attraction, with more than 1 million visitors from around the world visiting the island each year.

A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons told AP that the agency “will comply with all Presidential Orders.”

Image credits: ABC7