- Alcatraz Island has abruptly closed to tourists from Monday to Friday for dock repairs, with all scheduled tours being refunded.
- This closure comes weeks after Donald Trump demanded more than $150 million to reopen the infamous prison facility.
- Trump's administration's 2027 budget proposal seeks $152 million for the restoration of Alcatraz, which he suggested could house “vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society”.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom and Nancy Pelosi strongly criticised Trump's proposal, with Newsom calling it a “colossally bad fiscal idea”.
- Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary originally closed in 1963 due to its high operational costs, being three times more expensive than other federal prisons because of its isolated location.
IN FULL