Reopening the Rock: Trump’s bold plan for Alcatraz
Alcatraz closed in 1963 (AFP via Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to reopen and expand Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary to house "America's most ruthless and violent offenders".
Alcatraz, a former prison located on an island near San Francisco, closed in 1963 and is now a popular tourist attraction and national park.
Mr Trump cited the need to address "serial offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets".
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed Mr Trump's proposal as unserious, highlighting Alcatraz's current status as a national park.
This announcement follows a Texas judge's ruling against the Trump administration's use of a 1798 law to deport Venezuelan immigrants accused of being gang members.