WASHINGTON, D.C. (LOOTPRESS) – President Donald Trump on Monday morning called for the reopening and expansion of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary to house what he described as “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump wrote: “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders… We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job…”
The post went on to call for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security to coordinate the reopening effort.
Alcatraz, located on an island in San Francisco Bay, operated as a maximum-security federal prison from 1934 to 1963.
Known for its harsh conditions and notorious inmates—including mob boss Al Capone and bank robber George “Machine Gun” Kelly—the facility was considered escape-proof due to its isolation and treacherous surrounding waters.
It closed due to high costs and deteriorating infrastructure.
Trump’s proposal would not only reopen the historic site but also involve a substantial expansion to house what he referred to as “serial offenders” and individuals in the country illegally with criminal records.
