Payam Javan: President Donald Trump announced on Sunday via Truth Social his plan to reopen and rebuild Alcatraz, the historic federal prison off San Francisco’s coast, to incarcerate the nation’s most violent and repeat offenders. The directive involves the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, aiming to restore the facility—closed since 1963 due to high costs and infrastructure issues—as a symbol of law and order. Trump emphasized that the move targets “vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders” to curb crime and ensure public safety, aligning with his administration’s broader efforts, including deporting gang members to El Salvador’s maximum-security prison.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office did not immediately respond, while Representative Nancy Pelosi dismissed the proposal, noting Alcatraz’s current role as a National Historic Landmark and popular tourist site, attracting over a million visitors annually. The Bureau of Prisons estimates $3 million to $5 million is needed to restore the facility, known for its inescapable reputation due to the Pacific Ocean’s strong currents. Trump defended the idea as a symbolic gesture for law enforcement, though he acknowledged it as a preliminary concept.