Trump Taps Bondi to Relaunch Alcatraz Amid Epstein Fallout/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump is moving to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison, dispatching embattled Attorney General Pam Bondi to announce the initiative. The plan faces intense opposition from lawmakers, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called it the president’s “stupidest initiative yet.” Bondi’s appearance comes amid controversy over her handling of the Epstein files.
Alcatraz Reopening Quick Looks
- Key Visit: Pam Bondi and Doug Burgum to visit Alcatraz Thursday.
- Main Objective: Reconvert Alcatraz into a high-security federal prison.
- White House Silence: No official confirmation yet, despite motorcade activity.
- Tourism vs. Policy: Alcatraz currently earns $60M annually as a historic site.
- Pelosi Response: Calls the initiative “Trump’s stupidest” to date.
- Historical Value: Alcatraz housed Capone and Bulger before closing in 1963.
- Cost Estimate: Reopening could exceed $1 billion in restoration expenses.
- Criticism Over Timing: Bondi’s visit overlaps with backlash over Epstein file secrecy.
- Trump’s Framing: Reopening framed as restoring “law and order.”
- State Pushback: CA leaders reject the plan as unrealistic and symbolic.
Trump Taps Bondi to Relaunch Alcatraz Amid Epstein Fallout
Deep Look
The White House has yet to confirm the trip, but a federal aircraft and motorcade were spotted arriving Wednesday night, signaling preparations for the announcement.
The move marks Trump’s latest attempt to brandish his “law and order” credentials, though critics say it’s more about symbolism than substance—especially as Bondi faces mounting criticism over her handling of the Epstein Files, a collection of sealed documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A Legendary Site, A Controversial Revival
Closed in 1963 and incorporated into the Golden Gate National Parks in 1972, Alcatraz Island is now one of America’s top tourist destinations, attracting visitors with its rich history and famous former inmates like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and James “Whitey” Bulger.
But under Trump’s vision, the island would revert to a high-security federal prison, possibly housing violent offenders or immigration detainees.
“It’s a sad symbol, but it’s a symbol of law and order,” Trump said in May when first floating the idea.
That proposal was swiftly met with outrage.
State and Local Leaders Push Back
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi didn’t mince words. “This is Trump’s stupidest initiative yet,” her office said, warning the administration appeared to draw more inspiration from Hollywood prison films than practical governance.
“It should concern us all that clearly the only intellectual resources the Administration has drawn upon for this foolish notion are decades-old fictional movies,” her office added.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie echoed that skepticism, saying, “There’s no realistic plan to make Alcatraz reopen as anything other than the wonderful attraction it currently is.”
Even California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office chimed in, sarcastically linking the reopening to Bondi’s long-delayed release of Epstein-related documents:
“Pam Bondi will reopen Alcatraz the same day Trump lets her release the Epstein files. So… never.”
Cost and Feasibility
Alcatraz is structurally safe for tourists, but restoration and prison retrofitting would require more than $1 billion, according to Golden Gate National Recreation Area Superintendent David Smith.
The Bureau of Prisons has already conducted preliminary assessments and is expected to return for further evaluations—though the logistics of transporting inmates and providing secure operations on an island remain a massive hurdle.
Pam Bondi’s Baggage
The visit comes at a politically charged time for Pam Bondi, who has been under fire for her role in delaying or concealing elements of the Epstein investigation. Her assignment to this high-profile Alcatraz event appears designed to reframe her role within the administration, though critics see it as a distraction tactic.
Reactions from the Public and Former Inmates
One of Alcatraz’s few surviving former inmates, Charlie Hopkins, now in his 90s, dismissed the plan as a publicity stunt.
“When I was on Alcatraz, a rat couldn’t survive,” Hopkins told ABC7 New York. “This is about crime headlines, not real policy.”
Public opinion remains divided, with some Trump supporters applauding the tough-on-crime optics and opponents blasting the move as political theater meant to divert attention from ongoing DOJ controversies and a volatile election cycle.
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