1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

To Members of the United States Congress: I am writing to express my deep frustration with the current presidential administration and, more specifically, to denounce the absurd and wasteful idea of reopening Alcatraz as a functioning prison. This proposal is not only historically ignorant and financially reckless, but it’s also emblematic of an administration more interested in political stunts and culture wars than in responsible governance. The idea of pouring hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into refurbishing a crumbling, outdated island prison—just for the sake of making a political point—is outrageous. Alcatraz is a national historic site and a symbol of a bygone era. Its closure in 1963 was due to the high costs and impracticality of maintaining such a facility. Reopening it would only repeat those mistakes, with added expense and zero gain for public safety or justice. I am also appalled by the hypocrisy. This administration claims to uphold conservative values like fiscal responsibility, yet it is adding to the national debt with performative and misguided initiatives like this one. How does reopening an obsolete prison serve the taxpayer or advance our justice system? It doesn’t—it only fuels the politics of spectacle. Instead of focusing on real issues that affect Americans—like healthcare, housing, climate change, and the economy—this administration has chosen to invest its time and energy into culture wars and media distractions. The American people deserve thoughtful policy and honest leadership, not empty symbolism and inflammatory rhetoric. I urge you to reject this ridiculous proposal and demand better from our government. Congress must act as a check against this kind of reckless spending and political theater. Our country deserves more than this.