Donald Trump has been slammed for claiming he is planning to reopen Alcatraz, the infamous prison island.
“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” President Trump screamed on Truth Social Sunday evening in a post in which he slammed criminals and “the dregs of society” for being in America “for too long.”
The U.S. president told reporters that the idea came from his frustration at “radicalised judges” accused of slowing down his deportation plans.
Nancy Pelosi has already questioned the feasibility of reopening the prison after so many years. “It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction. The President’s proposal is not a serious one,” she wrote on X.
Scott Wiener, a Democratic state senator representing San Francisco, said: “Putting aside that Alcatraz is a museum & tourist attraction, this is both nuts & terrifying.” While Democrat influencer Brian Krassenstein called the idea the “dumbest proposal I’ve heard.”
History
Located on the island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay, just over a mile from the city, the prison dates back to the mid-19th century.
It features a three-story building with four main cell blocks as well as a lighthouse that looks out over the bay.
The most notorious criminals to be housed at Alcatraz included Alphonse “Al” Capone, George “Machine-Gun” Kelly, and “Ma Barker” gang members, Alvin Karpis, and Arthur “Doc” Barker.
Reactions
A LOT of other people were quick to respond.
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Related: 5 chaotic Trump moments in 48 hours: Alcatraz, Greenland and movie tariffs
