Trump Orders Alcatraz Reopened: 'A Symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE' — 'Nobody Has Ever Escaped' (May 4, 2025)

President Donald Trump ordered America’s most famous prison back into business. “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering,” Trump posted on May 4, 2025, according to the American Presidency Project [1].

“That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders,” he wrote [1].

The video above shows Trump discussing Alcatraz on May 4 and 5, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and Straight Arrow News [1][2][3][4].

”A Symbol of Law and Order”

“The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE,” Trump wrote [1].

“When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” he wrote [1].

“No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets,” Trump wrote. “We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally.” [1]

Back at the White House that night, a reporter asked where he got the idea. “Just an idea I’ve had,” Trump said. “And it’s long been a symbol, Alcatraz, of whatever it is. I mean, you know, it’s a sad symbol, but it’s a symbol of law and order.” [2]

“So I think we’re going to do that, and we’re looking at it right now,” he said [2].

”Nobody Has Ever Escaped”

The next day in the Oval Office, Trump said more. “I mean, it represents something very strong, very powerful, in terms of law and order. Our country needs law and order. Alcatraz is, I would say, the ultimate, right?” he said [3].

“It housed the most violent criminals in the world, and nobody ever escaped,” Trump said. “Nobody has ever escaped from Alcatraz. And it just represented something strong having to do with law and order.” [3]

“Right now it’s a big hulk that’s sitting there rusting and rotting,” he said. “We’ll see if we can bring it back, in large form—add a lot.” [3]

“Hollywood Is Being Destroyed”

Trump also took on the movie business. “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States.” he posted [1].

“Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” Trump wrote [1].

“Other nations have been stealing the—the movies, the moviemaking capabilities from the United States,” Trump told reporters. “We’re making very few movies now. Hollywood is being destroyed.” [2]

“And I’m saying, if they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States, then we should have a tariff on movies that come in,” he said [2].

The NFL Draft on the National Mall

The Oval Office event was a football announcement. “I’m pleased to reveal that the 2027 NFL Draft—that’s a big thing—will be held right here in our Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC, on the National Mall,” Trump said beside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell [3].

“Over 3 days, we’ll be over a million, Mr. President,” Goodell said of the expected crowds [3].

”They Deport Themselves”

Asked about paying illegal immigrants to leave, Trump said: “So we’re going to have a self-deportation, where they deport themselves out of our country.” [3]

“We have millions of people that have come into this country illegally through an administration that didn’t know what they were doing. They didn’t have a clue,” Trump said [3].

“And if they—if we think they’re good, if they have—you know, if they’re people we want in our country, they’re going to come back into our country. We’ll give them a little easier route,” he said [3].

By the Numbers

2027: the year the NFL Draft comes to the National Mall, per Trump [3].
1 million+: draft visitors expected over three days, per Goodell [3].
100%: the tariff Trump called for on foreign-made movies [1].
1963: the year Alcatraz closed as a federal prison, Straight Arrow News reported [4].

What Happened Next

Bondi and Burgum went to the island. On July 17, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum toured Alcatraz “as part of President Donald Trump’s push to return the iconic site to its former role as a federal prison,” Straight Arrow News reported [4].

“Alcatraz could hold the worst of the worst. It could hold middle-class violent prisoners, it could hold illegal aliens, it could hold anything,” Bondi told Fox News during the tour. “This is a terrific facility, needs a lot of work, but no one has been known to escape from Alcatraz and survive.” [4]

Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall said his agency would “vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President’s agenda,” the report said [4].

For Trump ordering Guantanamo readied for 30,000 migrants, see HYGO News’ page on the Laken Riley Act, Jan. 29, 2025. For Trump and the champion Eagles a week earlier, see the page on April 28, 2025.