President Trump has unveiled plans to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz prison to detain America’s most dangerous criminals, calling it a return to a time when the country dealt more firmly with lawlessness.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to rebuild and reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay, intending to house the country’s “most ruthless and violent offenders”.
Posting on the Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! 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.”
Alcatraz, once regarded as America’s most secure prison, previously held notorious criminals such as Al Capone before it was closed in 1963. It has since become one of San Francisco’s most visited tourist destinations and a protected national park.
Trump stated that he was instructing the Department of Justice, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Prisons to support the reopening of a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” facility on the island.
Speaking to reporters upon returning to the White House from Florida, the president described the idea as spontaneous. “It’s just an idea I’ve had,” he said. “It’s a symbol of law and order.”
Alcatraz was originally shut down due to its high running costs, which were nearly three times that of other federal prisons, largely because of its isolated island location and the logistical difficulties of staffing and maintaining it.
Democratic lawmaker and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed the announcement, saying it was not a serious proposal. “Alcatraz closed as a federal penitentiary more than sixty years ago. It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction,” she posted on X.
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President Donald Trump says the U.S. may start winding down operations against Iran but insists other nations must secure the Strait of Hormuz. Overnight, Israeli strikes hit Tehran and Beirut, while the UK approved the use of its bases for U.S. strikes.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 21 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The British government gave authorisation on Friday (20 March) for the U.S. to use military bases in Britain to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Trump administration has waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days on Friday (20 March) in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Israel reportedly launched a fresh wave of attacks on Iran on Friday (20 March), a day after U.S. President Donald Trump told it not to repeat its strikes on Iranian natural gas infrastructure, which sharply escalated the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris, the martial artist, actor and cultural icon best known for his roles in action films and the long-running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 86.
Transport groups across the Philippines launched a nationwide strike on Thursday in protest against rising oil prices. The action affected 15 to 20 protest centres in Metro Manila, with similar demonstrations taking place across several major provinces.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has refused to lift his opposition to a €90 billion ($104 billion) European Union loan to help Ukraine keep up its fight against Russia’s invasion, following a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday (19 March).
As Afghans celebrate Eid, there is at least some relief, with Afghanistan and Pakistan pausing military operations following mediation by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye after weeks of tension.
Fourteen people died and 25 were seriously injured in a fire at a car parts factory in the South Korean city of Daejeon, fire authorities said on Saturday (21 March).
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators will hold talks in Miami on Saturday that could lay the groundwork for another meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a source familiar with the matter said.
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring EU membership back to the centre of national politics.
Italy will vote on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
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