President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he was ordering Alcatraz, a closed prison on an island in San Francisco Bay.
The president said he would direct federal prisons, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to reopen and “expand” prisons.
Trump cites the need to protect Americans because of violent crimes and the move, and plans to house “the most ruthless and violent criminals in America.”
“We will no longer be holding criminals, thugs and judges who are afraid to do their jobs and allow us to eliminate criminals who have illegally come to our country,” the president said in a message about the True Society. “The reopening of Alcatraz serves as a symbol of law, order and justice. We will make America great again!”
The order comes as Trump has publicly clashed with the court as his government attempted to send members of the accused gang to a prison in El Salvador.
Alcatraz Island was included as part of the National Park Service when Congress established the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972.
According to the Prison Bureau, Alcatraz was closed because it was too expensive to operate. When the prison was closed in 1963, it was estimated that more than $5 million would be needed to recover and maintain the prison.
“That figure didn’t include daily operating costs. Alcatraz was nearly triple operating than any other federal prison,” the department’s website read.
In 1959, federal agencies said the per capita cost at Alcatraz at $10.10.
While in operation, prisons called “Rocks” housed criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. During the 29 years, prisons were opened, with about 36 men trying to escape from the prison, but according to the FBI, they all either got caught or were unable to survive.
The island attracts over 1 million visitors a year, making it the subject of many mainstream films.
National Park Service and Alcatraz officials did not immediately respond to NBC Bay Area requests for comment.
Since its announcement, Sen. Scott Winner (D-San Francisco) said the move was “a crusade to block the rule of law.”
“Trump’s order that Alcatraz, a museum, will resume because the prison is ridiculous in its face,” Wiener said. “This major tourist attraction generates significant income for the federal government and supports many jobs,” he specifically points to a judge who will not deport anyone who wants to do so without legitimate proceedings as the legitimacy of this stunt. If Trump is serious about doing this, it is just another step in dismantling democracy. This is a domestic glug located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. ”
U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi took to social media to question the announcement. The president’s announcement “is not serious,” she wrote to X.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office also said the move looked like a “Day of Distractions in Washington, D.C.”.
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