Trump Proposes Reopening Alcatraz, Slapping 100% Tariffs on Foreign Films in Bold Policy Shift

On Sunday night, former President Donald Trump made two sweeping policy announcements that signal his intention to assert broad executive power should he return to office—this time targeting both the criminal justice system and the film industry.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared he has ordered the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, to reopen and expand the infamous Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay. The facility, shuttered since 1963 and now a popular tourist destination, would be rebuilt to house what Trump described as “America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”

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“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering,” Trump wrote. “The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order,and JUSTICE.”

Just minutes after that post,

Trump followed up with another California-focused policy proposal: a 100% tariff on all films produced abroad. He framed the measure as a way to revive the domestic film industry and labeled foreign production incentives as a “concerted effort” and a “National Security threat.”

The two-pronged announcement was quickly met with backlash in California. A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom called it “distraction day again in Washington,” while state Sen. Scott Wiener called the Alcatraz plan “absurd,” noting the island’s role as a major tourist attraction drawing 1.4 million visitors annually. He likened the proposal to creating a “domestic gulag.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also dismissed the Alcatraz plan, stating, “Alcatraz closed as a federal penitentiary more than sixty years ago. It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction.”

The proposed film tariff comes amid California's ongoing efforts to revitalize its entertainment sector, which has seen production shift overseas due to lower costs and lucrative foreign tax incentives. State lawmakers, including Sen. Ben Allen, are currently working to expand California’s film tax credit program. Allen acknowledged having recently heard from actor Jon Voight—reportedly an informal Trump liaison to Hollywood—about the tariff idea.

Allen was cautiously optimistic about the tariff plan’s intent but raised concerns about international repercussions: “Unlike a lot of the other items on Trump’s tariffs list, we know that TV and movies can be made 100% in the USA right now and at a very high caliber. The key concern of course will be how this might affect U.S. movie sales around the world.”

Together, Trump’s proposals showcase his signature blend of populist rhetoric and bold executive action—seeking to restore order at home while protecting American industries from global competition.