Revamped Take: Trumps Eyeing a Alcatraz Remake, ex-military lawyer chimes in
Trump advocates for resurrecting Alcatraz, yet Pelosi and Newsom brand it as a diversion
In a bombshell move, former General Counsel of the Navy, Van Hipp, discussed the feasibility of reopening Alcatraz to house severe offenders on Fox & Friends. The plan, backed by President Trump, stirred up conversations with San Francisco's politicians dismissing it as a flimsy distraction.
While the Trump administration has set its sights on rebuilding and reopening Alcatraz, some California leaders, including Gov. Newsom, Rep. Pelosi, and Mayor Lurie, view the proposal as nothing more than a jape.
"It's obvious distraction time in Washington, D.C.," a Newsom aide commented to our Digital.
"Alcatraz has been federally shuttered for more than half a century. It's now a highly-frequented national park and tourist magnet. The president's plan lacks substance," Pelosi posted on her social media platforms on Sunday.
"I think Speaker Pelosi spoke it right about Alcatraz. This isn't a sound proposition," Lurie vocalized in a statement shared with our Digital.
Alcatraz, during its historic tenure, has served roles varying from a military prison, federal prison, Civil War fortress, bird sanctuary, the first West Coast lighthouse, and the birthplace of the American Indian Red Power movement according to the National Park Service. Sealing its notoriety, the facility was once home to infamous criminals such as notorious gangster Al Capone.
Trump himself often jested on his campaign trail, "I've been indicted more than Al Capone." Interestingly, Capone endured at least 23 counts of federal income tax evasion, while Trump faced a 34-count felony charge for business fraud.
Each year, 1.2 million tourists flock to Alcatraz, which is under the management of San Francisco's National Park Service. Displays within the island's exhibits delve into its history as a military prison and federal penitentiary while offering insights into its 19-month native American occupation contesting the U.S. government’s Termination Policy aimed at ending tribal supervision.
However, Trump is advocating a different vision for Alcatraz, expressing his desire to "REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!" he announced on Truth Social. Trump explained that such a move would cease societal hostage situations, provide law, order, and justice, and ensure the removal of nefarious individuals invading our country unlawfully.
Whether Trump's plan finds its footing remains a question, with legal, practical and political challenges mounting. Navigating complicated legislative processes, strong local opposition, and substantial financial and logistical concerns, the restoration of Alcatraz seems a complicated puzzle to solve.
So, stay tuned as we keep our finger on the pulse of this contentious issue. For more updates and engrossing stories, don't forget to download our Digital App.
Lastly, Deirdre Heavey contributes to the politics section of our Digital.
- The reopening of Alcatraz, suggested by President Trump, has been met with skepticism by San Francisco's politicians, who view it as a distraction.
- Gov. Newsom, Rep. Pelosi, and Mayor Lurie, among others, have expressed disapproval towards the Trump administration's plan to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz, describing it as lacking substance.
- The reopening of Alcatraz, if implemented, would shift its role from a national park and tourist attraction to a facility for housing severe offenders, according to President Trump's policy.
- The Alcatraz facility, historically, has served various purposes, including a military prison, federal prison, bird sanctuary, and the birthplace of the American Indian Red Power movement, as detailed by the National Park Service.
- The reopening of Alcatraz faces numerous challenges, including complex policy-and-legislation issues, strong local opposition, and substantial financial and logistical concerns, making it a complicated puzzle to solve.
