When Donald Trump said he’d consider reopening Alcatraz to house violent illegal aliens and the worst offenders, I knew immediately what would happen. Cue the outrage. The media mocked it. The Left called it inhumane. Social media labeled it fascist.
But let’s be honest—that reaction wasn’t about a prison off the coast of San Francisco. It was about something much deeper: biblical justice, and the possibility that consequences might actually return to a country that’s grown allergic to them.

Why Alcatraz Sent the Left Over the Edge
When Trump said, “We’re going to take them to places they never thought they’d be… and that includes Alcatraz,” it was symbolic. And that’s exactly what rattled the left. Not because of the island—but because it pointed to a kind of justice they’ve tried to erase.
In today’s political climate, criminals are often treated as victims. And the real victims? Ignored, silenced, or blamed. We’ve built a culture where lawlessness is defended—and righteousness is demonized.
I believe that’s because many on the left have abandoned the very concept of biblical justice. And that should concern every Christian in this country.
A Culture Gone Soft on Crime
We’ve all seen it. No-cash bail laws let violent criminals back on the street in hours. Progressive DAs refuse to prosecute shoplifting, vandalism—even assault. In places like California, criminals are told that if they steal under $950, it’s basically legal.
And don’t get me started on illegal aliens. When violent offenders cross into our country and commit crimes, many are protected by sanctuary city policies rather than held accountable. The Heritage Foundation lays this out clearly—these policies often shield criminals from the justice system altogether.
This isn’t mercy. It’s madness.
The Manhattan Institute has shown how soft-on-crime policies have fueled violence in cities like New York. And yet, the Left continues pushing these reforms under the banner of equity. But equity without justice is just favoritism.
As I wrote in my blog, “How the Culture Promotes Self-Worship”, this mindset comes from a place of elevating feelings over truth. When self is the highest authority, law and order naturally crumble.
What the Bible Says About Real Justice
As believers, we can’t ignore what God says about justice. Biblical justice is not about revenge—it’s about righteousness.
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” —Psalm 33:5 (NIV)
In Scripture, justice isn’t optional—it’s foundational. And it includes both retribution for wrongdoing and mercy for the repentant. In other words: accountability matters.
- Theft required restitution (Exodus 22).
- Murder demanded a life-for-life consequence (Genesis 9:6).
- Judges were told to show no partiality (Deuteronomy 16:19–20).
In our society, we’ve turned justice into a game of identity politics. But God’s justice doesn’t bend to skin color, income level, or social status. It’s grounded in truth.
Truth + Mercy = Biblical Justice
I’ve heard it a hundred times: “What about grace? What about mercy?” And I agree—mercy is beautiful. Jesus showed it perfectly. But mercy without truth isn’t mercy at all—it’s enabling.
When Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, He didn’t excuse her sin. He said, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)
Today, we say, “Go and keep doing whatever you want—we don’t want to seem judgmental.”
But real love tells the truth. Real mercy requires repentance. And biblical justice holds both in tension. That’s what I unpack further in “Why Truth Is Exclusive”—we can’t have real mercy without real accountability.
Illegal Immigration and the Crisis of Consequences
Trump’s Alcatraz proposal also highlighted another elephant in the room: illegal immigration and the failure to enforce the law.
Romans 13:4 says:
“For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid… They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (BibleGateway)
God’s purpose for government is justice—not tolerance of crime. When we protect those who break the law while ignoring their victims, we’ve flipped the very purpose of authority upside down.
I cover this tension in my blog on Christian involvement in government. We can’t separate our faith from our civic responsibility—especially when it comes to defending justice.
The Christian Response: Courage, Not Cowardice
If you’re a Christian reading this, I want to challenge you: stop apologizing for truth. We’ve allowed culture to bully us into silence, especially on issues like crime and punishment. But truth isn’t hateful. Truth is love in action.
We need leaders who reflect biblical justice—not compromise. We need believers who will stand firm, vote boldly, and speak up when the world tries to rewrite morality.
And we need to do it with the right heart. I talk more about this in “Being a Bold Christian Without Being Combative”. Boldness must come with humility. But silence is not an option anymore.
Alcatraz Was Never the Real Issue
At the end of the day, I don’t know if Trump will actually reopen Alcatraz. But what I do know is this: the moment he brought it up, the outrage exposed something deeper.
The Left doesn’t fear a prison—they fear what it represents. Boundaries. Authority. Consequences. Truth.
And in a culture where self is god, truth feels like violence.
But it’s time we push back—not with hatred, but with courage.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8
We don’t have to choose between justice and mercy. Biblical justice demands both. And in a lawless culture, it’s one of the boldest stands a Christian can take.
Arch Kennedy
Where Faith Meets Culture — Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid
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