US interior secretary Doug Burgum and attorney general Pam Bondi have visited Alcatraz as part of Donald Trump’s pledge to reopen the former federal prison. The tour comes amid fierce opposition from California leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who labelled the idea “lunacy”.
Burgum said the federal government was beginning “the work to renovate and reopen the site to house the most dangerous criminals and illegals”. Alcatraz, which closed in 1963 due to high operating costs, is now a National Park Service museum attracting 1.4 million visitors annually.
Pelosi described the proposal as a “diversionary tactic” from the recently passed budget. She questioned how the administration could afford to convert and maintain Alcatraz given the national debt. Trump announced in May his intention to reopen the island prison for “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders”.
Reopening the prison would be a major logistical and financial challenge. While in operation, nearly one million gallons of water were shipped to the island each week. The site later became a symbol of Indigenous resistance after a 19-month occupation by activists in 1969. Officials have said it is not in condition to house detainees.
San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie said there was “no realistic plan” for Alcatraz to host anyone other than visitors. Gavin Newsom’s office responded sarcastically, suggesting Bondi would reopen Alcatraz the same day Trump lets her release the Epstein files.
