American Public Backs Trump’s Crackdown on Crime

Alcatraz Island, a rocky outcrop in the San Francisco Bay, has a storied history as one of America’s most infamous penitentiaries. However, it closed in 1963 and transformed into a tourist hotspot, attracting millions yearly. Now, as part of his crackdown on crime, President Donald Trump is pushing to revive its original purpose as a high-security prison, aligning with his aggressive vision to restore “law and order” to America.

“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” he wrote on Truth Social. “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.” He emphasized that America was once “a more serious nation,” where “we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm.” That, he insisted, is “how it’s supposed to be,” vowing that his administration will no longer allow Americans to be “held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job.”

“The reopening of ALCATRAZ,” Trump concluded, “will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE.” And as it turns out, this is exactly what the American people want from the Trump administration. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten highlighted statistics to back it up.

“This speaks to one of Trump’s best issues, right? The idea of Alcatraz,” Enten said. “You think law and order — you think Donald Trump.” Citing an Ipsos poll, he highlighted Trump’s net approval rating on handling crime at +2 points, a stark contrast to Joe Biden’s -26 points. “You rarely ever see it,” Enten remarked.

He continued, “So Donald Trump ran, in part, on law and order. It was one of the reasons that he got elected. And at this particular point, Americans like what they’re hearing from him on the issue of crime.” It’s all in the numbers, he added, “And you see this right here, with a plus two net approval rating — far better than Joe Biden left office with back in 2024.” But the report didn’t end there.

CNN took into consideration a different poll, comparing how Americans viewed Trump’s handling of crime from his first term to his second. In doing so, Enten explained, “We see that Donald Trump’s net approval rating on handling crime is far better now at plus two points.” During his first term, Trump was “underwater at -13 points.” So, now, “he’s doing 15 points better in terms of how people are viewing his handling of crime now than he was doing” before.

Enten tied it all together: “[W]hen you hear Donald Trump talking about stuff like Alcatraz — yes, I know it’s late-night fodder for a lot of different folks — but what it actually speaks to is Donald Trump focusing the American people’s attention on an issue in which they actually do like what he’s doing.” The Ipsos poll cited by Enten reflects the growing public frustration with rising crime rates in general. For example, beyond Alcatraz, Trump’s crime agenda dovetails with his immigration policies, which were another cornerstone of his 2024 campaign.

The Washington Stand reported that Trump has already taken significant steps to secure the U.S. border, including reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, ending catch-and-release, designating criminal syndicates like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations or criminal enterprises, and leveraging the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport illegal immigrants. Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security introduced a new incentive: a $1,000 stipend for illegal immigrants who voluntarily self-deport using the CBP Home app.

Notably, Trump’s immigration crackdown first prioritized those with criminal records, particularly violent offenders. In his first 100 days, his administration has focused on deporting individuals convicted of serious crimes, a policy that aligns with the Alcatraz proposal’s emphasis on isolating dangerous individuals.

Whether the reopening of Alcatraz comes to fruition or serves as a rhetorical lightning rod, the proposal has already succeeded in refocusing public attention on crime, an issue that continues to shape the political landscape in 2025.

AUTHOR

Sarah Holliday

Sarah Holliday is a reporter at The Washington Stand.

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