Donald Trump has presented a controversial proposal to rebuild the storied Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, establishing the notorious island prison as a new residence for America's most ruthless and violent offenders.

The proposal, announced during a public appearance over the weekend, calls on the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, and Homeland Security to work together to restore and modernize the former maximum-security facility. Trump presented the action as a return to "law, order, and justice" in the midst of the continuing national discussion about public safety and crime.

Trump said,Alcatraz was once a symbol of strength and deterrence, We’re bringing it back to send a message that the worst of the worst will be removed from society—permanently. Alcatraz Island, which is 1.25 miles off the coast of San Francisco, from 1934 to 1963 was used as a federal prison. Some of the most infamous criminals in the nation, such as George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Al Capone, were held there. It has operated as a National Historic Landmark and a well-liked tourist destination run by the National Park Service since it was closed, attracting over a million visitors a year.

The proposal has already drawn significant criticism from political leaders and conservationists. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi questioned the legality and feasibility of converting the protected site back into a functioning prison, citing environmental, logistical, and economic challenges.

Despite the lack of clarity, the concept has rekindled interest in Alcatraz and brought the island, which had long been a thing of the past, back into the public eye.