Trump's week in review: UK trade deal, illegal immigration crackdown, American pope
Return to Alcatraz
Trump announced plans to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison to house “ruthless and violent offenders,” framing it as a symbol of law and order despite its dilapidated condition.
“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 in a Sunday post on Truth Social.
“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 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.”
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. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate… pic.twitter.com/u1jOCMXeW5
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2025
The main building on Alcatraz Island was first built as a U.S. Army military prison from 1910 to 1913, and was later acquired by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1934. It closed its doors in 1963 before it became a museum and tourist site 10 years later.
The Hollywood Reporter suggested that the idea to reopen Alcatraz occurred to Trump while he was watching a rerun of the 1979 Clint Eastwood movie Escape from Alcatraz, which the outlet noted aired twice over the weekend on a PBS affiliate that services South Florida, including Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago.
A worker at the museum told freelance journalist Nick Shirley that it would cost “billions” to renovate Alcatraz, given its age.
Trumps has directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to reopen Alcatraz…
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) May 8, 2025
Looks like some renovations are already taking place ???? pic.twitter.com/Ui8NLyIFTG
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
