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Music legend Smokey Robinson, 85, is facing serious legal trouble after four former housekeepers filed a lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual assault, harassment, and labor violations. The suit, seeking $50 million in damages, was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 6.
The plaintiffs identified in court documents only as Jane Does 1 through 4 - claim Robinson’s misconduct spanned nearly two decades, from 2007 to 2024.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged assaults took place at Robinson’s homes in Chatsworth, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Bell Canyon, California.
Allegations of Assault, False Imprisonment, and a Hostile Workplace
The women accuse Robinson, 85, of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and gender violence. They also allege he and his wife, Frances Robinson, created a hostile work environment. The lawsuit details not only sexual assault but also claims the women were paid below minimum wage and endured verbal abuse.
Attorneys representing the housekeepers describe the singer as a “serial rapist” who exploited his fame and their vulnerable economic situations.
The plaintiffs say they kept quiet for years out of fear - fear of retaliation, of being publicly shamed, and of jeopardizing their immigration status.
Frances Robinson Also Named in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit doesn’t only target the Motown star. Frances Robinson, his wife, is accused of being aware of the alleged abuse and failing to intervene.
The plaintiffs allege she not only ignored their complaints but also verbally abused them, sometimes using racial slurs.
Smokey Robinson with his wife Frances (@smokeyrobinson Instagram)
Smokey Robinson, born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, became a cornerstone of American music as a singer, songwriter, and record producer.
He rose to fame in the late 1950s as the lead singer of The Miracles, one of the first successful groups signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown Records.
Known for his smooth tenor voice and poetic lyrics, Robinson created timeless hits like Shop Around, The Tracks of My Tears, and You've Really Got a Hold on Me.
He also wrote and produced chart-topping songs for other Motown artists, including My Girl for The Temptations and My Guy for Mary Wells.
Over his decades-long career, Robinson earned numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the National Medal of Arts, and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
While his musical contributions are widely celebrated, Smokey Robinson now faces serious allegations that could have lasting effects on both his personal life and his public legacy.
Attorney John Harris, representing the four former housekeepers suing Smokey Robinson, made this statement during a press conference on May 6, 2025.
"Obviously no amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson subjected them to. But given the gravity of Mr. Robinson's despicable and reprehensible misconduct, this amount is clearly warranted."
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Global beverage leader Diageo North America is now facing a high-profile class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
The suit alleges that the company falsely marketed its Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas as "100% agave" while allegedly using non-agave alcohols in the production process.
The Allegations
Plaintiffs Avi Pusateri, Chaim Mishulovin, and Sushi Tokyo Inc. allege that Diageo deceived consumers in New York and New Jersey by labeling its tequilas as pure "100% agave."
According to the complaint, independent laboratory tests reportedly found significant amounts of non-agave alcohols, including cane spirits, in the products.
The lawsuit claims this misrepresentation violates both U.S. and Mexican regulations governing tequila composition and marketing.
Plaintiffs’ Statement
Steve Berman, lead attorney from Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, commented:
"The lawsuit aims to demand truthful marketing of one of Mexico's most cherished products."
The plaintiffs also highlight the broader economic harm, arguing that using cheaper alcohol substitutes has negatively affected small-scale agave farmers in Mexico by driving down agave prices.
Diageo’s Response
Diageo North America has strongly denied the allegations. A company spokesperson stated:
"These claims are meritless, and we plan to vigorously defend ourselves in court."
No further public statements have been issued by the company at this time.
The case, Pusateri et al. v. Diageo North America, Inc., seeks more than $5 million in damages. The plaintiffs are also pursuing a court order to halt what they describe as deceptive marketing practices related to tequila purity claims.
Diageo plc is a global leader in premium spirits and beer, with brands like Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Tanqueray, Baileys, Don Julio, and Casamigos. Headquartered in London and operating in over 180 countries, Diageo focuses on premiumization, innovation, and sustainability, with North America as its largest market.
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Sidley has named veteran corporate lawyer Brian Fahrney as the new Chair of its Executive Committee, the firm announced. Fahrney, a longtime leader at the firm, will continue to serve on Sidley’s Management Committee and maintain his active law practice while stepping into the leadership role.
Mr. Fahrney succeeds Michael Schmidtberger, who has chaired the Executive Committee since 2018. Schmidtberger will stay on as a partner in Sidley’s highly regarded Investment Funds practice.
Mr. Fahrney, who formerly co-led the firm’s global M&A and Private Equity practice, brings more than three decades of experience advising clients on high-stakes mergers, acquisitions, spinoffs, and complex cross-border deals.
Mr. Fahrney’s client roster includes major public companies navigating strategic transactions, capital markets work, and SEC disclosure challenges, and he will continue advising clients even while taking on broader leadership duties.
“It is a privilege to take over as Chair of the Executive Committee and to work closely with Yvette and firm leadership to continue the growth of Sidley through our investment in our people, clients, and communities,” Mr. Fahrney said, referring to Yvette Ostolaza, Chair of the firm’s Management Committee.
“I thank Mike for his exceptional service and commitment as past Chair. He has prioritized Sidley’s culture of collegiality and collaboration throughout his career and has prepared us well for the future.”
Yvette Ostolaza, who has worked closely with Fahrney for more than a decade, expressed confidence in the transition.
“I have worked closely with Brian for over a decade, and am excited about his new role. He is a client-centric, exceptional attorney who has contributed positively to the firm since he began his career as a summer associate. We are aligned on the strategic priorities of the firm.
As Sidley continues to grow, passing US$3.4 billion in revenue last year, we will continue to provide a premier client experience for our global client base, deliver the highest quality leadership development for our people, and use our talents to positively impact our communities.”
For Michael Schmidtberger, the handover marks the latest step in a long leadership career at Sidley.
“Brian has been a leader at the firm and in the community during his more than 30 years at Sidley and I know he will continue the firm’s commitment to the values that it has cultivated for almost 160 years. It has been an honor to lead the firm in multiple leadership roles during my tenure, and I look forward to supporting Brian in his role as Chair.” Mr. Schmidtberger said.
Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with approximately 2,300 lawyers across 21 offices in key business and financial centers worldwide. With nearly 160 years of experience, the firm is renowned for delivering innovative legal solutions in complex transactional, litigation, regulatory, and advisory matters.
Sidley serves a broad range of clients, including leading corporations, financial institutions, and government entities, offering deep industry knowledge and cross-border capabilities. The firm is also deeply committed to public service, dedicating over 150,000 hours annually to pro bono work, making a meaningful impact in communities around the world.
Sidley’s longstanding reputation as a trusted advisor is underscored by its commitment to excellence, diversity, and community engagement, helping clients navigate an ever-evolving legal landscape.
Columbia University is laying off nearly 180 staff members, a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s decision to revoke $400 million in federal grants earlier this year.
The administration has accused the university of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment, a charge Columbia strongly contests.
The cuts will hit a broad range of employees, particularly those whose roles were tied to the now-suspended federal funding. Research departments focused on infectious diseases, maternal health, and chronic illness are expected to suffer the most severe impacts.
Leadership Responds Amid Growing Tensions
Claire Shipman, Columbia’s acting president, acknowledged the gravity of the decision in a public statement this week.
“This is a painful day for our university community,” Claire Shipman said. “We are losing talented colleagues whose work has been vital not only to Columbia but to critical research benefiting the wider public.”
According to Ms. Shipman, the staff reductions represent about 20% of the employees funded by the revoked grants.
While the university has explored cost-saving measures, including administrative cutbacks and voluntary retirement options - the loss of such a significant portion of federal funding left few alternatives.
Changes to Campus Policies
In response to federal scrutiny, Columbia has revised several campus policies. New rules include tighter disciplinary procedures, a ban on face coverings during protests, enhanced campus security measures, and the appointment of a senior vice provost to oversee Middle Eastern studies programs.
Yet despite these actions, the Trump administration has not restored the university’s funding.
Legal Battle Brewing
The university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has filed a lawsuit challenging the government’s decision to pull the grants. The group argues the move violates academic freedom and constitutes unlawful political retaliation.
“This is not just about Columbia,” said a faculty spokesperson who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the litigation. “This is about whether universities can continue to be places of open inquiry without fear of political interference.”
Columbia’s situation mirrors actions taken by the Trump administration against other Ivy League schools, including Harvard.
Federal officials have described these measures as part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism on college campuses, a policy that has garnered both praise and sharp criticism from legal scholars and civil rights groups.
Allegations of antisemitism at Columbia University have been the subject of heated debate for years. Critics point to a series of protests and incidents in recent months that they say have created a hostile environment for Jewish students.
In response, Columbia officials have reiterated the university’s commitment to combating hate speech and harassment while protecting free expression.
The university has launched several initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue and addressing bias. These include task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia, revised student conduct policies, and expanded support services for students who experience discrimination.
The federal government’s decision to revoke funding has sparked concerns among legal scholars and civil liberties advocates, who warn that punitive financial measures may chill academic freedom and suppress legitimate political discourse on campus.
Hogan Lovells has advised ICM S.p.A. (ICM), a leading Italian construction company, on a €25 million dual bond issuance. The firm also advised Banca Finint, which acted as arranger, and the investors involved in the transaction.
The proceeds from the bonds will help fund ICM’s growth plans over the next three years, including major projects under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
To manage potential conflicts of interest, Hogan Lovells used two separate legal teams, working under an “ethical wall.”
The team advising Banca Finint and the investors was led by partners Patrizio Messina and Sabrina Setini, with support from senior associate Pietro Tirantello and associate Gabriele Ippolito.
The team representing ICM was led by partner Alessandro Accrocca, assisted by associate Edoardo Minnetti and trainees Noemi Biagini and Riccardo Del Torto.
ICM S.p.A. (Gruppo ICM) is a leading Italian construction and engineering group founded in 1921 by Giuseppe Maltauro in Recoaro Terme. Headquartered in Vicenza, the company has grown into one of Italy’s top general contractors, delivering major public and private infrastructure projects.
The group operates through a network of specialized companies focused on civil engineering, industrial construction, infrastructure development, environmental solutions, and real estate. Its portfolio includes roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, airports, hospitals, commercial centers, and residential complexes.
ICM employs over 1,000 professionals and holds key certifications, including UNI EN ISO 9001 for Quality Management. The company is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and high-quality construction standards.
Internationally, ICM has completed projects in Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, and Qatar.
Hogan Lovells is a global law firm with over 2,600 lawyers across six continents, offering top-tier legal services in complex litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters. Known for its deep industry knowledge and cross-border capabilities, the firm partners with clients to solve their toughest legal challenges and drive strategic growth. Hogan Lovells serves major players in life sciences, financial services, technology, energy, and beyond, combining local insight with global reach.
Kirkland & Ellis Advises Rotunda Capital on $735M Fund IV
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Kirkland & Ellis has advised Rotunda Capital Partners on the final close of Rotunda Capital Partners Fund IV, L.P., which raised $735 million in total capital commitments, far surpassing its original $550 million target.
The fund attracted strong interest from both returning and new investors, despite a challenging fundraising environment.
The new vehicle continues Rotunda’s focus on acquiring and growing industrial businesses, particularly family- and founder-led companies.
With Fund IV, the firm plans to double down on its data-driven approach to scaling businesses and driving operational improvements.
Managing Partners John Fruehwirth, Dan Lipson, Corey Whisner, and Bob Wickham expressed gratitude for the vote of confidence from the investor community.
“We are humbled and proud to see the confidence the investors showed for our investment strategy of sourcing family-founder led companies and then applying our deep data and analytics approach to help them grow while driving operational improvements.
We are especially grateful for our existing investors’ strong continued support and thankful for the resounding interest from new, high-quality investors, especially given the current market fundraising dynamic.
Fund IV investors included US and global institutional investors such as pension funds, asset managers, fund of funds, endowments, foundations, health systems and insurance companies as well as family offices and former RCP portfolio company executives.”
The fund’s backers include a diverse group of institutional investors such as pension funds, asset managers, funds of funds, endowments, foundations, health systems, and insurance companies.
Family offices and several former executives of Rotunda portfolio companies also participated.
Fund IV represents a significant step up from the firm’s prior vehicle, Rotunda III, which closed in 2022 with more than $405 million in commitments. Campbell Lutyens served as global placement agent.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Rotunda. The team was led by investment funds lawyers Dan McQuade, Matt Nabavian, and Matt Hudson; tax lawyers Chris Odell and Palmer Gunderson; and regulatory specialists Josh Westerholm, Reed Schuster, and Hannah Cloh.
Kirkland & Ellis is a leading global law firm known for its excellence in M&A, corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, and private equity. With offices in key financial centers worldwide, the firm advises clients across a broad range of industries. Recognized for its work on high-stakes transactions and disputes, Kirkland delivers innovative legal strategies backed by deep industry knowledge. Its focus on complex deals and cutting-edge solutions positions it as a trusted advisor in the global legal market.
Tech mogul Elon Musk has branded the U.S. government’s nonprofit funding system the “biggest scam ever.”
The controversy was sparked by a claim from former U.S. Senate candidate Carolyn Phippen, who stated that 7,000 politically connected NGOs (non-governmental organizations) receive 90% of all taxpayer money directed to nonprofits.
That staggering figure accounts for roughly $300 billion annually, funneled from the government into nonprofit organizations, often with zero public transparency.
“So it turns out 7,000 politically connected NGOs are receiving 90% of all taxpayer money going to nonprofits. Roughly $300 billion in government money flows through nonprofits every year with zero transparency with regard to where that money goes,” Phippen said.
She added: “The American people deserve access to the books of any entity that takes government money, and all information about how that money is used and the communications around it need to be considered public record. That’s our money, and these NGOs need to start answering to us.”
Elon Musk echoed Phippen’s concerns on X , bluntly calling the situation the “biggest scam ever.”
Biggest scam ever https://t.co/35tBrS39mE
— gorklon rust (@elonmusk) May 6, 2025
Carolyn Phippen, 55, is a wife, mother of five, and a passionate advocate for conservative values who has spent over three decades living and working in Utah.
Her commitment to public service began early. After studying at Brigham Young University and serving a mission in Czechoslovakia shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, she witnessed firsthand the dangers of vast government control.
This experience cemented her belief in limited government and individual liberties. She later completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah while raising her young children.
Determined not to sit on the sidelines, Phippen became deeply involved in Utah’s conservative movement. She worked with influential leaders like Senator Mike Lee and Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes, and later served as Executive Director of Freedom Front, a group committed to fighting federal government overreach and defending the free market.
She also serves on the board of Utah Citizens for the Constitution and is part of the Why I Love America committee, which promotes patriotism throughout Utah and beyond.
Though she didn’t secure the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2023, Phippen continues to champion conservative principles, including:
Fighting inflation and lowering the national debt.
Opposing career politicians and government corruption.
Upholding family values and constitutional rights.
“I’m not a politician,” Phippen has said. “I’m a mom who has fought on the front lines of the conservative movement for years.”
She currently lives in Draper, Utah, with her husband and two of their five sons.
Critics like Musk and Phippen argue that the current system allows massive taxpayer-funded grants to flow to politically favored NGOs without proper transparency. Watchdog groups have raised concerns for years that some nonprofits operate as de facto political entities while receiving public funds shielded from scrutiny.
Proposed reforms include:
Full public access to financial records of any nonprofit receiving government money.
Disclosure of communications about how funds are allocated and spent.
Establishing independent oversight bodies to audit nonprofit spending.
Abbe Lowell, the veteran attorney known for navigating some of the nation’s most politically sensitive legal battles, has opened a new chapter in his storied career.
A new firm, Lowell & Associates, aims to defend individuals, companies, and nonprofits facing what Lowell describes as politically motivated investigations and government overreach.
A Team Built for Today’s Legal Battles
Joining Lowell at the firm are attorneys Rachel Cohen and Brenna Trout Frey, both of whom recently departed from the prestigious law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
Their decision to leave followed Skadden’s controversial pledge to provide $100 million in pro bono work aligned with policies of the Trump administration, a move both attorneys opposed on principle.
Rachel Cohen now serves as Strategic & External Affairs Coordinator at Lowell & Associates, helping guide the firm’s litigation strategy and public affairs.
Clients Already in the Spotlight
Though newly formed, the firm has quickly attracted a slate of high-profile clients. Among them are New York Attorney General Letitia James, former Homeland Security official Miles Taylor, and whistleblower attorney Mark Zaid.
Miles Taylor, a former Trump administration official who authored the widely discussed 2018 “Anonymous” op-ed in The New York Times and later published a book detailing his experiences in the Trump White House.
Following Taylor’s revelations, Trump publicly labeled him a “traitor,” revoked any remaining security clearances through a presidential memorandum, and directed the Department of Justice to investigate him.
Several clients are already challenging what they argue are politically motivated legal actions and funding revocations by federal agencies.
Abbe Lowell’s vision for the firm rejects the traditional big-law model. Instead, Lowell & Associates is designed to be nimble, selective, and prepared to pivot quickly in high-stakes, fast-moving cases.
“We want to be lean and responsive. Large firms have their advantages, but sometimes flexibility and speed are the keys to effective defense,” Mr. Lowell explained.
Lowell & Associates enters the scene at a moment when political and legal tensions are deeply intertwined. Over 200 lawsuits have been filed in recent years challenging government policies on immigration, transgender rights, and funding cuts to various programs.
Advocacy groups like Democracy Forward have taken a leading role in these efforts, and Lowell’s firm appears poised to complement that wave of legal resistance.
While the firm’s early focus is on clients targeted in the Trump-era crackdown on dissent and perceived adversaries, Lowell insists the mission is broader.
“Our first and foremost obligation will always be to zealously represent an individual client,” Mr. Lowell said. “But by zealously representing an individual client, if we can be a force to strengthen the overall rule of law, that's what it's about.”
Abbe Lowell is a nationally recognized attorney with over 40 years of legal experience. Beginning his career in the early 1980s, he rose to national prominence in 1998 as chief minority counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
Mr. Lowell led the defense’s legal strategy against charges stemming from the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the broader Whitewater investigation, shaping the arguments that ultimately resulted in President Clinton’s acquittal.
Since that landmark case, Mr. Lowell has represented a wide range of high-profile clients, including Hunter Biden, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and Senator Bob Menendez. He has also served as special counsel to the House Ethics Committee and provided legal counsel to public officials involved in some of the most politically sensitive investigations of the past four decades.
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Credit Suisse Services AG has pleaded guilty to conspiring to help U.S. taxpayers conceal more than $4 billion from the Internal Revenue Service through at least 475 offshore accounts.
The plea marks the culmination of an extensive investigation by U.S. authorities into sophisticated tax fraud and financial misconduct.
In addition to the guilty plea, the Swiss firm entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The agreement resolves allegations related to U.S. accounts held at Credit Suisse AG Singapore.
As part of the deal, the bank agreed to assist with ongoing investigations and pay significant monetary penalties for facilitating tax evasion through undeclared offshore accounts in Singapore.
According to court filings, between January 2010 and July 2021, Credit Suisse AG collaborated with employees, U.S. clients, and others to conceal ownership and control of assets and income held in offshore accounts.
The bank allegedly falsified records, processed fake donation paperwork, and oversaw more than $1 billion in accounts without verifying tax compliance.
These actions allowed clients to evade taxes and breached a 2014 plea agreement Credit Suisse had previously reached with U.S. authorities.
From 2014 to June 2023, Credit Suisse AG Singapore held undeclared accounts for U.S. persons valued at more than $2 billion.
The bank failed to identify the true owners of these accounts and disregarded clear indicators of U.S. ownership.
Following the 2023 merger between UBS AG Singapore and Credit Suisse AG Singapore, UBS identified several undeclared U.S. accounts.
The bank froze some of the accounts and voluntarily disclosed the findings to U.S. authorities, fully cooperating with the investigation.
In January 2025, UBS was reported to be nearing a substantial settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding Credit Suisse’s tax evasion violations, setting aside roughly $4 billion for legal liabilities inherited from the acquisition.
Separately, in March 2025, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority banned two former Credit Suisse executives from the financial services industry.
The bans followed their U.S. convictions for accepting bribes tied to the Mozambique “tuna bond” scandal.
On May 5, 2025, just before this plea agreement was finalized - UBS officially agreed to pay $511 million to settle the U.S. tax investigation into Credit Suisse’s practices.
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President Donald Trump announced on May 4 that his administration intends to reopen and expand the infamous Alcatraz prison.
The facility, which opened as a federal penitentiary in 1934 and once held America’s most notorious criminals, including Al 'Scarface' Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Alvin 'Creepy' Karpis, has stood dormant since 1963.
Now, it could once again become a fortress for what Trump has described as the nation’s "most ruthless and violent offenders."
“A Symbol of Law and Order”
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump decried what he called a “weak and chaotic” criminal justice system and laid out plans to transform Alcatraz into a state-of-the-art facility.
He directed the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to initiate the process.
“This will be a symbol of law and order,” the president wrote. “We will no longer tolerate the chaos destroying our cities.”
Federal Response: First Steps and Feasibility
William K. Marshall III, the newly appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, confirmed that a feasibility study is already underway. “We will vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President’s agenda,” he said in a statement.
While no timeline has been provided, the directive marks the first serious federal effort to reassess the use of Alcatraz since it was closed due to deteriorating infrastructure and unsustainable maintenance costs over six decades ago.
Swift Political Reactions
The announcement sparked immediate reactions from lawmakers and public officials, many of them critical.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed the proposal outright, calling it an unserious distraction from deeper issues plaguing the criminal justice system. California Senator Scott Wiener was even more blunt, labeling the plan “absurd.”
“Alcatraz is a protected historic site and a vital part of San Francisco’s tourism economy,” Wiener said. “The idea of turning it back into a prison is not just legally questionable, it’s economically reckless.”
Experts Warn of Cost and Complexity
Criminal justice experts have also raised red flags. Martin Horn, former commissioner of New York City’s Department of Correction, pointed out that Alcatraz’s infrastructure is not only outdated but fundamentally incompatible with modern correctional standards.
“You would essentially need to demolish the existing structures and start from scratch,” Horn explained. “And the logistical nightmare of operating a secure facility on an isolated island would drive costs through the roof.”
Tourism and Preservation Concerns
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, which helps manage Alcatraz as a national historic landmark, voiced alarm over the proposal.
The site draws more than 1.4 million visitors annually and serves as both an educational resource and a place of reflection on America’s penal history.
“Reopening Alcatraz as a prison would erase decades of work preserving it as a symbol of resilience and change,” a spokesperson said.
Potential Link to Immigration Enforcement
Some observers have speculated that the move could also serve Trump’s broader immigration agenda. U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan suggested that Alcatraz might be considered as an option for housing certain undocumented immigrants, particularly amid the ongoing shortage of detention space nationwide.
Political Symbolism or Policy Shift?
While supporters have praised the initiative as a bold return to law and order, critics argue it’s more about political posturing than practical governance.
“This is about making a statement, not finding solutions,” said Horn. “It’s a symbol, but the costs, both financial and societal, would be enormous.”
The Bureau of Prisons will continue its feasibility assessment, but any attempt to repurpose Alcatraz faces significant legal, logistical, and public relations hurdles.
Whether the iconic prison will once again hold inmates or remain a relic of America’s penal past, remains to be seen.
Did You Know?
Alcatraz never had a successful escape. While 36 inmates tried, the fate of three who fled in 1962 remains a mystery—and inspired the Clint Eastwood film Escape from Alcatraz.
Native American activists occupied Alcatraz from 1969 to 1971 in a protest that drew national attention to Indigenous rights. The event remains a pivotal moment in civil rights history.
Al Capone reportedly played banjo in the Alcatraz prison band and performed for other inmates on Sundays.
Operating Alcatraz was extremely expensive. In 1963, it cost three times more to house a prisoner there than in other federal prisons - one reason it was shut down.
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