AG Pam Bondi in San Francisco visiting Alcatraz to announce Trump admin's reopening plans as Nancy Pelosi blasts 'stupidest' idea
Share this @internewscast.com

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are visiting Alcatraz in San Francisco on Thursday morning. They are anticipated to unveil plans to reopen the historic federal prison.

Back in May, President Trump started talking about reopening the site as a federal prison.

Congress is expected to introduce a bill to end environmental protections for Alcatraz and take away the National Park Service’s control of the site.

RELATED: Trump says he will reopen notorious Alcatraz prison in San Francisco

It’s already getting strong reactions from local leaders.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has criticized the plan, describing it as “the Trump Administration’s most foolish initiative,” by stating, “It is concerning that the administration seems to base this idea on outdated Hollywood movies rather than sound strategy.”

Alcatraz currently generates about $60 million in annual revenue, according to the National Park Service.

Refurbishing the island and building a new prison would cost at least a quarter of a billion dollars, according to estimates.

MORE: Tourists, politicians and former inmate sound off on Trump’s proposal to reopen Alcatraz as a prison

ABC7 News Insider Phil Matier weighed in on the plans and visit.

Political analyst Matier commented, “Trump aims to project a strong stance against crime. He claims Alcatraz was effective at its time, and he wants to revive it to address urban crime today. However, be clear: this is more about generating media attention. It’s a calculated move to showcase Trump as being tough on crime, with the visual of reopening The Rock serving as the main attraction.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Press Office issued a statement saying, “Pam Bondi will reopen Alcatraz the same day Trump lets her release the Epstein files. So… never.”

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie issued a statement saying, “There’s no realistic plan to make Alcatraz reopen as anything other than the wonderful tourist attraction that it currently is…”

“It’s now pretty much like an old ancient castle out there that tourists go to,” Matier said. “Turning it into a federal penitentiary is going to take a lot of money and then operating. It’s going to take a lot of money, but planning for it and showing drawings and making a statement about it. That’s a lot cheaper, and that’s what we’re seeing right now.”

Now Streaming 24/7 Click Here

Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Navy calls off search for missing sailor assigned to USS George Washington near Australia

Navy Ends Search for Sailor from USS George Washington Missing Near Australia

The U.S. Navy has ended the search for a sailor from the…
Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre's family says Trump 'should never consider giving Maxwell any leniency'

Virginia Giuffre’s family urges Trump not to show leniency towards Ghislaine Maxwell

The family of Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre is urging President…
Nighttime view of a pier extending into a body of water with a city skyline in the background.

Tragic Last Exchange Between Black Hawk Pilot and Instructor: Moments Before Mid-Air Collision with American Airlines Plane, Claims 67 Lives

THE pilots aboard the Black Hawk that collided with an American Airlines…
Throngs of police pay tribute to officer killed in New York office shooting

Large Police Gathering Honors Officer Fallen in New York Office Shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — Police gathered in deep formation in front of…
White House Report Ignites America’s Bid to Dominate Digital Assets

White House Report Fuels America’s Push to Lead in Digital Assets

By Jason Meyers The White House has unveiled the much-anticipated “Strengthening American…
Ksoo verdict | Jacksonville rapper hears verdict in murder trial

Verdict Reached in Ksoo’s Murder Trial: Jacksonville Rapper’s Fate Decided

The jury spent three and a half hours deliberating before coming back…
Map showing the location of Riverside, California and surrounding areas.

Twin Earthquakes Rattle Los Angeles: 4.4 Magnitude Shakes California

CALIFORNIA experienced two earthquakes on Thursday morning, occurring within minutes of each…
Navy confirms F-35 fighter jet went down near California base, pilot safely ejected

Navy Confirms Pilot Ejected Safely as F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes Near California Base

A Navy pilot is unharmed following the crash of an F-35C fighter…
Colorado dentist's alleged internet search history takes center stage as murder trial begins

Colorado Dentist James Craig Convicted of Poisoning Wife to Death

This narrative touches upon suicide. If you or someone you know is…
A young woman and man smiling for a selfie.

26-Year-Old Married Teacher Confesses to Sending Nude Photos and Pressuring 16-Year-Old Student for Sexual Relations

A MARRIED teacher has admitted bombarding her teen pupil with nudes and…
Brawl in Ukrainian parliament during anti-corruption bill vote.

Chaos Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament: Anti-Corruption Bill Approved Following Major Protests Against Zelensky Since War Prompted Reversal

A BRAWL has erupted in Ukraine’s parliament as Volodymyr Zelensky U-turned on…
Virginia city councilman doused with gasoline and set on fire in horrific workplace attack, suspect arrested

Virginia Councilman Set Ablaze in Workplace Attack; Suspect in Custody

A member of the city council in Virginia was urgently taken to…