Trump's Alcatraz Revival Plan Faces GOP Support, Criticism

President Donald Trump has proposed reopening and expanding Alcatraz, the former island prison, as a high-security facility for America's most dangerous offenders, framing it as a symbol of law and order. The announcement, delivered on Truth Social and in remarks to reporters, caught officials and the public off guard, with Trump linking the idea to the prison's iconic status and possibly to the recent airing of the movie 'Escape from Alcatraz.' Congressional Republicans have expressed interest in the plan, but details regarding costs, feasibility, and the timeline remain unclear, especially given Alcatraz's high operating costs and current status as a lucrative tourist destination. Critics have been quick to highlight the substantial financial and logistical challenges, noting the original prison was closed in 1963 due to expense and deterioration, and warning that reopening it would require extensive renovations and end significant tourism revenue. Some observers have mocked the proposal as impulsively inspired by Hollywood rather than policy planning, with former GOP strategists and commentators questioning both the idea's practicality and its constitutional implications. Despite the controversy, the Bureau of Prisons and several federal agencies have been directed to examine the proposal.