Ryan Fonseca

Michael McLaughlin

George Kelly

Jonah Owen Lamb

Josh Koehn

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum toured Alcatraz Thursday to assess the possibility of converting the island back into a federal prison.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum toured Alcatraz Thursday to assess the possibility of converting the island back into a federal prison.

&#8220;A great morning at Alcatraz with @SecretaryBurgum. Under President Trump, we are Making America Safe Again,&#8221; Bondi posted to <a href="https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/1945907466950107240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1945907466950107240%7Ctwgr%5E11e2f54f1428d8e6d93af53c82b967fb9d63b921%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2Ftrump-alcatraz-bondi-prison-san-francisco-20773283.php">X</a> at 11:04 a.m., along with photos of herself and Burgum touring the former prison.

"A great morning at Alcatraz with @SecretaryBurgum. Under President Trump, we are Making America Safe Again," Bondi posted to <a href="https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/1945907466950107240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1945907466950107240%7Ctwgr%5E11e2f54f1428d8e6d93af53c82b967fb9d63b921%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2Ftrump-alcatraz-bondi-prison-san-francisco-20773283.php">X</a> at 11:04 a.m., along with photos of herself and Burgum touring the former prison.

&#8220;A great morning at Alcatraz with @SecretaryBurgum. Under President Trump, we are Making America Safe Again,&#8221; Bondi posted to <a href="https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/1945907466950107240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1945907466950107240%7Ctwgr%5E11e2f54f1428d8e6d93af53c82b967fb9d63b921%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2Ftrump-alcatraz-bondi-prison-san-francisco-20773283.php">X</a> at 11:04 a.m., along with photos of herself and Burgum touring the former prison.

The drama over plans to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison was reignited Wednesday as Rep. Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats slammed the Trump administration.

The drama over plans to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison was reignited Wednesday as Rep. Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats slammed the Trump administration.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum tour Alcatraz Thursday morning, July 17, 2025. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gwe9hzrxeaawcwt.jpeg?w=1170" alt="Four people are walking down a corridor in a prison, with metal bars and cell doors on either side. One person is in a green uniform." class="wp-image-420048"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burgum and Bondi walk past former prison cells on Alcatraz.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gwe9hzrxeaawcwt.jpeg?w=1170" alt="Four people are walking down a corridor in a prison, with metal bars and cell doors on either side. One person is in a green uniform." class="wp-image-420048"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burgum and Bondi walk past former prison cells on Alcatraz.</figcaption></figure>

President Donald Trump in May <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/04/trump-alcatraz-prison-again/">first floated the idea</a> of reopening the prison, which ceased operations in 1963 and remains a popular tourist attraction. Pelosi on Wednesday said the plan is “the Trump administration’s stupidest initiative yet.”

Trump wants to make Alcatraz Alcatraz again

President Donald Trump in May <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/04/trump-alcatraz-prison-again/">first floated the idea</a> of reopening the prison, which ceased operations in 1963 and remains a popular tourist attraction. Pelosi on Wednesday said the plan is “the Trump administration’s stupidest initiative yet.”

“It should concern us all that clearly the only intellectual resources the administration has drawn upon for this foolish notion are decades-old fictional Hollywood movies,” Pelosi said. “Make no mistake: this stupidity is a diversionary tactic to draw attention away from this administration’s cruelest actions yet in their Big, Ugly Law, which takes away food from children and rips healthcare from millions to give tax breaks to billionaires.”

“It should concern us all that clearly the only intellectual resources the administration has drawn upon for this foolish notion are decades-old fictional Hollywood movies,” Pelosi said. “Make no mistake: this stupidity is a diversionary tactic to draw attention away from this administration’s cruelest actions yet in their Big, Ugly Law, which takes away food from children and rips healthcare from millions to give tax breaks to billionaires.”

How unfit is Alcatraz? Just look at it

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Critics have described the idea as impossible; rebuilding the crumbling prison would likely cost billions.

Critics have described the idea as impossible; rebuilding the crumbling prison would likely cost billions.

But Burgum defended the idea and said on X today that the project is underway &#8220;to renovate and reopen the site to house the most dangerous criminals and illegals.&#8221;

But Burgum defended the idea and said on X today that the project is underway "to renovate and reopen the site to house the most dangerous criminals and illegals."

But Burgum defended the idea and said on X today that the project is underway &#8220;to renovate and reopen the site to house the most dangerous criminals and illegals.&#8221;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Spent the day on Alcatraz Island, a <a href="https://twitter.com/NatlParkService?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatlParkService</a> site, to start the work to renovate and reopen the site to house the most dangerous criminals and illegals. This administration is restoring safety, justice, and order to our streets. <a href="https://twitter.com/Interior?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Interior</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a> are following… <a href="https://t.co/1CA9O5WWSu">pic.twitter.com/1CA9O5WWSu</a>&mdash; Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretaryBurgum/status/1945893688338493541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Alcatraz is run by the National Park Service, which is part of the Department of the Interior. To reopen it as a prison, Congress would have to pass legislation that transfers Alcatraz to the Bureau of Prisons, which is part of the Department of Justice, officials said.

Alcatraz is run by the National Park Service, which is part of the Department of the Interior. To reopen it as a prison, Congress would have to pass legislation that transfers Alcatraz to the Bureau of Prisons, which is part of the Department of Justice, officials said.

Pelosi vowed that Congressional Democrats “will use every parliamentary and budgetary tactic available to stop the lunacy.”

Pelosi vowed that Congressional Democrats “will use every parliamentary and budgetary tactic available to stop the lunacy.”

After their visit to the island, Bondi and Burgum were possibly heading to the Presidio and Muir Woods, a Pelosi official told The Standard.

After their visit to the island, Bondi and Burgum were possibly heading to the Presidio and Muir Woods, a Pelosi official told The Standard.

The Presidio is another federal property that has found itself in Trump&#8217;s crosshairs since he took office. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/19/donald-trump-moves-to-abolish-the-presidio-trust-through-executive-order/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">February executive order, Trump</a>&nbsp;attempted to make sweeping cuts to the Presidio Trust, the federal agency established by Congress in 1996 to oversee the 1,500-acre San Francisco park.

&#8216;It&#8217;s insane&#8217;: Trump moves to &#8216;dramatically reduce&#8217; Presidio Trust through executive order

The Presidio is another federal property that has found itself in Trump's crosshairs since he took office. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/19/donald-trump-moves-to-abolish-the-presidio-trust-through-executive-order/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">February executive order, Trump</a>&nbsp;attempted to make sweeping cuts to the Presidio Trust, the federal agency established by Congress in 1996 to oversee the 1,500-acre San Francisco park.

The Presidio is another federal property that has found itself in Trump&#8217;s crosshairs since he took office. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/19/donald-trump-moves-to-abolish-the-presidio-trust-through-executive-order/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">February executive order, Trump</a>&nbsp;attempted to make sweeping cuts to the Presidio Trust, the federal agency established by Congress in 1996 to oversee the 1,500-acre San Francisco park.

The timing of Bondi&#8217;s visit is raising eyebrows as the attorney general is under pressure from many in Trump&#8217;s base over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump voters want her to release the documents known as the Epstein files, but the administration said recently it did not plan to issue additional information on the convicted sex offender, who died in jail in 2019.

The timing of Bondi's visit is raising eyebrows as the attorney general is under pressure from many in Trump's base over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump voters want her to release the documents known as the Epstein files, but the administration said recently it did not plan to issue additional information on the convicted sex offender, who died in jail in 2019.

The timing of Bondi&#8217;s visit is raising eyebrows as the attorney general is under pressure from many in Trump&#8217;s base over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump voters want her to release the documents known as the Epstein files, but the administration said recently it did not plan to issue additional information on the convicted sex offender, who died in jail in 2019.

Maggie Coleman, a tourist visiting San Francisco with her children from Pittsburgh, said the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a prison was &#8220;stupid&#8221; as they waited for the first boat to the island Thursday morning.

Maggie Coleman, a tourist visiting San Francisco with her children from Pittsburgh, said the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a prison was "stupid" as they waited for the first boat to the island Thursday morning.

Maggie Coleman, a tourist visiting San Francisco with her children from Pittsburgh, said the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a prison was &#8220;stupid&#8221; as they waited for the first boat to the island Thursday morning.

&#8220;I think we have plenty of prisons, and there&#8217;s no reason to take an old one like this that&#8217;s now a national landmark and turn it into a prison again,&#8221; Coleman said.

"I think we have plenty of prisons, and there's no reason to take an old one like this that's now a national landmark and turn it into a prison again," Coleman said.

&#8220;I think we have plenty of prisons, and there&#8217;s no reason to take an old one like this that&#8217;s now a national landmark and turn it into a prison again,&#8221; Coleman said.

Asked for comment about the plan, a spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom kept it brief.

Asked for comment about the plan, a spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom kept it brief.

“Pam Bondi will reopen Alcatraz the same day Trump lets her release the Epstein files,” the spokesperson said. “So … never.”

“Pam Bondi will reopen Alcatraz the same day Trump lets her release the Epstein files,” the spokesperson said. “So … never.”

Mayor Daniel Lurie said there are better uses of federal funds to improve public safety.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said there are better uses of federal funds to improve public safety.

&#8220;There is no realistic plan for Alcatraz to host anyone other than visitors,&#8221; Lurie posted on X. &#8220;If the federal government has billions of dollars to spend in San Francisco, we could use that funding to keep our streets safe and clean and help our economy recover. Alcatraz is a beloved destination.&#8221;

"There is no realistic plan for Alcatraz to host anyone other than visitors," Lurie posted on X. "If the federal government has billions of dollars to spend in San Francisco, we could use that funding to keep our streets safe and clean and help our economy recover. Alcatraz is a beloved destination."

&#8220;There is no realistic plan for Alcatraz to host anyone other than visitors,&#8221; Lurie posted on X. &#8220;If the federal government has billions of dollars to spend in San Francisco, we could use that funding to keep our streets safe and clean and help our economy recover. Alcatraz is a beloved destination.&#8221;

State Sen. Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco, told The Standard that Trump’s idea should be taken seriously, given that Congressional Republicans have empowered the president “to dramatically expand the ICE secret police and to build more private prison gulags.”

State Sen. Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco, told The Standard that Trump’s idea should be taken seriously, given that Congressional Republicans have empowered the president “to dramatically expand the ICE secret police and to build more private prison gulags.”

“Some dismiss Trump’s talk about Alcatraz as a joke. While this idea is absurd on so many levels — and destructive in seeking to destroy one of the most popular tourist sites in the country — Trump has shown that he executes on many of the insane and destructive things that come out of his warped brain,” Wiener said in a statement. “I’m very concerned that Trump will actually try to turn Alcatraz into a gulag to hold the political prisoners ICE is sweeping off the streets. We need to do everything in our power to fight this dangerous idea.”

“Some dismiss Trump’s talk about Alcatraz as a joke. While this idea is absurd on so many levels — and destructive in seeking to destroy one of the most popular tourist sites in the country — Trump has shown that he executes on many of the insane and destructive things that come out of his warped brain,” Wiener said in a statement. “I’m very concerned that Trump will actually try to turn Alcatraz into a gulag to hold the political prisoners ICE is sweeping off the streets. We need to do everything in our power to fight this dangerous idea.”

Trump&#8217;s push to convert Alcatraz comes after Florida this month rushed to open &#8220;Alligator Alcatraz&#8221; at an airfield in the Everglades. The Washington Post&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/16/alligator-alcatraz-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;Thursday that the site has limited fresh water, and its portable toilets routinely clog — and mosquitos relentlessly attack detainees and staff.

Trump's push to convert Alcatraz comes after Florida this month rushed to open "Alligator Alcatraz" at an airfield in the Everglades. The Washington Post&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/16/alligator-alcatraz-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;Thursday that the site has limited fresh water, and its portable toilets routinely clog — and mosquitos relentlessly attack detainees and staff.

Trump&#8217;s push to convert Alcatraz comes after Florida this month rushed to open &#8220;Alligator Alcatraz&#8221; at an airfield in the Everglades. The Washington Post&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/16/alligator-alcatraz-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;Thursday that the site has limited fresh water, and its portable toilets routinely clog — and mosquitos relentlessly attack detainees and staff.

Trump said this month he’d seen renderings of a new prison on Alcatraz Island.

Trump said this month he’d seen renderings of a new prison on Alcatraz Island.

&#8220;I saw a picture of ALCATRAZ looking so foreboding, and I said, ‘We’re going to look into renovating and rebuilding the famous ALCATRAZ Prison sitting high on the Bay, surrounded by sharks. What a symbol it is, and will be!’” Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social.

"I saw a picture of ALCATRAZ looking so foreboding, and I said, ‘We’re going to look into renovating and rebuilding the famous ALCATRAZ Prison sitting high on the Bay, surrounded by sharks. What a symbol it is, and will be!’” Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social.

&#8220;I saw a picture of ALCATRAZ looking so foreboding, and I said, ‘We’re going to look into renovating and rebuilding the famous ALCATRAZ Prison sitting high on the Bay, surrounded by sharks. What a symbol it is, and will be!’” Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social.

Rodney Fong, CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said shuttering Alcatraz as a tourist destination could have a massive impact on the local economy, from restaurants and bike rentals at Fisherman’s Wharf to city hotel stays. The former island prison welcomes 1.6 million people annually, generating about $60 million in revenue for San Francisco, not including ancillary businesses that benefit like airlines and car rentals.

Rodney Fong, CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said shuttering Alcatraz as a tourist destination could have a massive impact on the local economy, from restaurants and bike rentals at Fisherman’s Wharf to city hotel stays. The former island prison welcomes 1.6 million people annually, generating about $60 million in revenue for San Francisco, not including ancillary businesses that benefit like airlines and car rentals.

“It’s one of our postcards, and to lose that as one of our attractions to San Francisco would be an important loss,” Fong said.

“It’s one of our postcards, and to lose that as one of our attractions to San Francisco would be an important loss,” Fong said.

A federal prison operated on Alcatraz Island from 1934 to 1963. It was shuttered due to high operating and maintenance costs.

A federal prison operated on Alcatraz Island from 1934 to 1963. It was shuttered due to high operating and maintenance costs.

“Alcatraz was nearly three times more expensive to operate than any other Federal prison,” a report from the <a href="https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp">Federal Bureau of Prisons</a> states.

“Alcatraz was nearly three times more expensive to operate than any other Federal prison,” a report from the <a href="https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp">Federal Bureau of Prisons</a> states.

When Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, Alcatraz Island was included under National Park Service management. The island opened to the public the following year and remains a major tourist draw, attracting more than a million visitors annually.

When Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, Alcatraz Island was included under National Park Service management. The island opened to the public the following year and remains a major tourist draw, attracting more than a million visitors annually.

Trump officials tour Alcatraz to push new prison plans

Paul Pelosi, husband of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, was released from a hospital Tuesday after receiving a kidney that was donated by his daughter Jacquline, a spokesperson announced.

Paul Pelosi, husband of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, was released from a hospital Tuesday after receiving a kidney that was donated by his daughter Jacquline, a spokesperson announced.

The transplant surgery took place Friday at UCSF Medical Center, according to Nancy Pelosi&#8217;s office.

The transplant surgery took place Friday at UCSF Medical Center, according to Nancy Pelosi's office.

The transplant surgery took place Friday at UCSF Medical Center, according to Nancy Pelosi&#8217;s office.

&#8220;With love and generosity my daughter Jacqueline, to whom I am endlessly grateful, is the donor,&#8221; Paul Pelosi, 84, said in a statement.

"With love and generosity my daughter Jacqueline, to whom I am endlessly grateful, is the donor," Paul Pelosi, 84, said in a statement.

&#8220;With love and generosity my daughter Jacqueline, to whom I am endlessly grateful, is the donor,&#8221; Paul Pelosi, 84, said in a statement.

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He praised the medical team at UCSF for their treatment.

He praised the medical team at UCSF for their treatment.

&#8220;Under their guidance and the care of Nancy and our family, Jacqueline and I are on the path to a full recovery,&#8221; he said.

"Under their guidance and the care of Nancy and our family, Jacqueline and I are on the path to a full recovery," he said.

&#8220;Under their guidance and the care of Nancy and our family, Jacqueline and I are on the path to a full recovery,&#8221; he said.

Paul Pelosi had previously been hospitalized in October 2022, after he was attacked with a hammer during a break-in at the couple&#8217;s San Francisco home.

Paul Pelosi had previously been hospitalized in October 2022, after he was attacked with a hammer during a break-in at the couple's San Francisco home.

Paul Pelosi had previously been hospitalized in October 2022, after he was attacked with a hammer during a break-in at the couple&#8217;s San Francisco home.

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi has been <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/13/nancy-pelosi-injured-luxembourg/">on the mend</a> from surgery in December after breaking her hip in a fall during an World War II anniversary event in Luxembourg.

Nancy Pelosi recovering from hip replacement in Germany after a fall

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi has been <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/13/nancy-pelosi-injured-luxembourg/">on the mend</a> from surgery in December after breaking her hip in a fall during an World War II anniversary event in Luxembourg.

Nancy Pelosi’s husband gets kidney from daughter

Saikat Chakrabarti, a former software engineer who worked as chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), turned heads Wednesday in San Francisco by announcing that he will challenge <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/14/nancy-pelosi-congress-election-donald-trump-2026/">Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi</a> in next year’s election.

Saikat Chakrabarti, a former software engineer who worked as chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), turned heads Wednesday in San Francisco by announcing that he will challenge <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/14/nancy-pelosi-congress-election-donald-trump-2026/">Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi</a> in next year’s election.

“I’ve decided to run against Nancy Pelosi to represent San Francisco in Congress,&#8221; Chakrabarti wrote <a href="https://x.com/saikatc/status/1887250464133292178">on X</a>. Chakrabarti, who has clashed with Pelosi in the past, noted, “I know some of you might be surprised that Speaker Emeritus Pelosi is running again, but she is — for her 21st term!”

“I’ve decided to run against Nancy Pelosi to represent San Francisco in Congress," Chakrabarti wrote <a href="https://x.com/saikatc/status/1887250464133292178">on X</a>. Chakrabarti, who has clashed with Pelosi in the past, noted, “I know some of you might be surprised that Speaker Emeritus Pelosi is running again, but she is — for her 21st term!”

“I’ve decided to run against Nancy Pelosi to represent San Francisco in Congress,&#8221; Chakrabarti wrote <a href="https://x.com/saikatc/status/1887250464133292178">on X</a>. Chakrabarti, who has clashed with Pelosi in the past, noted, “I know some of you might be surprised that Speaker Emeritus Pelosi is running again, but she is — for her 21st term!”

Chakrabarti&#8217;s career is closely tied to AOC’s meteoric rise. He served as campaign manager during her 2018 primary victory over incumbent Joe Crowley and subsequently became her chief of staff in Congress. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in formulating the Green New Deal, a policy proposal addressing climate change and economic inequality. He <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/02/aoc-staff-saikat-chakrabarti-climate-1445478">left Ocasio-Cortez’s office</a> in 2019, after a controversial first year.

Chakrabarti's career is closely tied to AOC’s meteoric rise. He served as campaign manager during her 2018 primary victory over incumbent Joe Crowley and subsequently became her chief of staff in Congress. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in formulating the Green New Deal, a policy proposal addressing climate change and economic inequality. He <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/02/aoc-staff-saikat-chakrabarti-climate-1445478">left Ocasio-Cortez’s office</a> in 2019, after a controversial first year.

Chakrabarti&#8217;s career is closely tied to AOC’s meteoric rise. He served as campaign manager during her 2018 primary victory over incumbent Joe Crowley and subsequently became her chief of staff in Congress. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in formulating the Green New Deal, a policy proposal addressing climate change and economic inequality. He <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/02/aoc-staff-saikat-chakrabarti-climate-1445478">left Ocasio-Cortez’s office</a> in 2019, after a controversial first year.

Chakrabarti showed a bit of deference to Pelosi’s nearly 38 years in the House of Representatives, in which she served two terms as speaker, but noted that times have changed since she was first elected in 1987.

Chakrabarti showed a bit of deference to Pelosi’s nearly 38 years in the House of Representatives, in which she served two terms as speaker, but noted that times have changed since she was first elected in 1987.

“When Nancy Pelosi was first elected to Congress, you could buy a home on a single income.&nbsp; A summer job could pay for college. Republicans believed in climate change and respected election results,” he wrote on X. “Now, the things that defined the American Dream — being able to afford health care, education, a home, and raise a family — are impossible for most people.”

“When Nancy Pelosi was first elected to Congress, you could buy a home on a single income.&nbsp; A summer job could pay for college. Republicans believed in climate change and respected election results,” he wrote on X. “Now, the things that defined the American Dream — being able to afford health care, education, a home, and raise a family — are impossible for most people.”

He added that the Democratic Party is ill-equipped to deal with Donald Trump’s second term and a Republican Party that “is overtly conspiratorial and anti-democracy.”

He added that the Democratic Party is ill-equipped to deal with Donald Trump’s second term and a Republican Party that “is overtly conspiratorial and anti-democracy.”

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi addresses the audience at the San Francisco Dems Gala at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. The event brought together various members of the Democratic Party including California Labor Fed Secretary Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez, State Sen. Wiener, Mayor London Breed, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee member Honey Mahogany among others.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DEMS-GALA-008.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman in a green suit speaks passionately at a podium with &quot;2023 SF DEMS&quot; on it, flanked by the American and California flags. A purple-lit backdrop is behind her." class="wp-image-211418"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has yet to formally announce she will run again in 2026, but she now has a challenger in Saikat Chakrabarti.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DEMS-GALA-008.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman in a green suit speaks passionately at a podium with &quot;2023 SF DEMS&quot; on it, flanked by the American and California flags. A purple-lit backdrop is behind her." class="wp-image-211418"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has yet to formally announce she will run again in 2026, but she now has a challenger in Saikat Chakrabarti.</figcaption></figure>

“The Democratic Party needs to stop acting like it&#8217;s competing against a normal political party that plays by the rules, and it needs a bold vision for how to raise living standards, quality of life and security for all Americans,” Chakrabarti wrote. “America is stuck, and Americans want real solutions that are as big as the problems we face.”

“The Democratic Party needs to stop acting like it's competing against a normal political party that plays by the rules, and it needs a bold vision for how to raise living standards, quality of life and security for all Americans,” Chakrabarti wrote. “America is stuck, and Americans want real solutions that are as big as the problems we face.”

“The Democratic Party needs to stop acting like it&#8217;s competing against a normal political party that plays by the rules, and it needs a bold vision for how to raise living standards, quality of life and security for all Americans,” Chakrabarti wrote. “America is stuck, and Americans want real solutions that are as big as the problems we face.”

Chakrabarti was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of immigrants from India. He moved to San Francisco after college and worked in tech, starting a company before working as the second engineer at Stripe, according to <a href="https://www.saikat.us/en">his website</a>. He then entered politics, working on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.&nbsp;

Chakrabarti was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of immigrants from India. He moved to San Francisco after college and worked in tech, starting a company before working as the second engineer at Stripe, according to <a href="https://www.saikat.us/en">his website</a>. He then entered politics, working on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.&nbsp;

Chakrabarti’s candidacy applies pressure on Pelosi, who will turn 85 next month and is recovering after <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/13/nancy-pelosi-injured-luxembourg/">having her hip replaced</a>. She has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/14/nancy-pelosi-congress-election-donald-trump-2026/">filed papers to run next year</a> but has made no formal announcement.

Chakrabarti’s candidacy applies pressure on Pelosi, who will turn 85 next month and is recovering after <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/13/nancy-pelosi-injured-luxembourg/">having her hip replaced</a>. She has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/14/nancy-pelosi-congress-election-donald-trump-2026/">filed papers to run next year</a> but has made no formal announcement.

State Sen. Scott Wiener may also have a decision to make. In 2023, he <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/03/02/scott-wiener-exploratory-committee-nancy-pelosis-congress/">set up an exploratory committee</a> to run whenever Pelosi retires but has repeatedly said he would never challenge her. Chakrabarti’s entrance to the race could change that equation.

Scott Wiener forms exploratory committee for Nancy Pelosi&#8217;s seat

State Sen. Scott Wiener may also have a decision to make. In 2023, he <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/03/02/scott-wiener-exploratory-committee-nancy-pelosis-congress/">set up an exploratory committee</a> to run whenever Pelosi retires but has repeatedly said he would never challenge her. Chakrabarti’s entrance to the race could change that equation.

Chakrabarti and Pelosi’s office both declined to comment for this story.

Chakrabarti and Pelosi’s office both declined to comment for this story.

AOC’s former aide challenges Nancy Pelosi for Congress

State Sen. Scott Wiener filed paperwork Friday to run for Speaker Emerita <a href="https://sfstandard.com/tag/nancy-pelosi/">Nancy Pelosi</a>’s seat in Congress — the only question is how soon.

State Sen. Scott Wiener filed paperwork Friday to run for Speaker Emerita <a href="https://sfstandard.com/tag/nancy-pelosi/">Nancy Pelosi</a>’s seat in Congress — the only question is how soon.

Filings list Wiener as a candidate in 2028, and since <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/03/02/scott-wiener-exploratory-committee-nancy-pelosis-congress/">launching an exploratory committee in 2023</a>, he’s repeatedly said he would never challenge the two-time former House speaker from San Francisco. However, if Pelosi decides not to seek another term next year — a real possibility for the 85-year-old — then Wiener could simply form a new committee for 2026 and transfer the campaign funds.

Filings list Wiener as a candidate in 2028, and since <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/03/02/scott-wiener-exploratory-committee-nancy-pelosis-congress/">launching an exploratory committee in 2023</a>, he’s repeatedly said he would never challenge the two-time former House speaker from San Francisco. However, if Pelosi decides not to seek another term next year — a real possibility for the 85-year-old — then Wiener could simply form a new committee for 2026 and transfer the campaign funds.

“I’ve been clear that I intend to run for this seat whenever the race opens up, whether in 2026 or 2028,” Wiener said in a statement. “This filing is a critical step to prepare for the serious work of running to succeed one of the icons of American politics.”

“I’ve been clear that I intend to run for this seat whenever the race opens up, whether in 2026 or 2028,” Wiener said in a statement. “This filing is a critical step to prepare for the serious work of running to succeed one of the icons of American politics.”

Pelosi has been cagey about whether she plans to run in 2026. She already has one Democratic challenger in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/24/nancy-pelosi-challenger-saikat-chakrabarti-democrats-trump/">Saikat Chakrabarti</a>, a centimillionaire (at least on paper) who was one of Stripe’s first engineers before serving as campaign manager and chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

He made AOC a household name. Now he wants Nancy Pelosi’s job

Pelosi has been cagey about whether she plans to run in 2026. She already has one Democratic challenger in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/24/nancy-pelosi-challenger-saikat-chakrabarti-democrats-trump/">Saikat Chakrabarti</a>, a centimillionaire (at least on paper) who was one of Stripe’s first engineers before serving as campaign manager and chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Democrats start work on Nancy Pelosi succession plan, sources say

Christine Pelosi breaks her silence on the ‘shadow campaign’ against Scott Wiener

“In a potential race against extremely wealthy candidates who can self-fund, I’ll have to work very hard to prepare to go toe to toe,” Wiener said. “I’ve dedicated my life to the people of San Francisco and our core values, and representing our great city in Congress — as we fight for our democracy, healthcare, housing, and basic civil rights — would be a deep honor.”

“In a potential race against extremely wealthy candidates who can self-fund, I’ll have to work very hard to prepare to go toe to toe,” Wiener said. “I’ve dedicated my life to the people of San Francisco and our core values, and representing our great city in Congress — as we fight for our democracy, healthcare, housing, and basic civil rights — would be a deep honor.”

Wiener’s exploratory committee for Pelosi’s seat has raised more than $900,000, according to a campaign spokesperson. Wiener was advised by attorneys that he would be better off launching a campaign now, as his continued fundraising could legally qualify him as a candidate for Congress.

Wiener’s exploratory committee for Pelosi’s seat has raised more than $900,000, according to a campaign spokesperson. Wiener was advised by attorneys that he would be better off launching a campaign now, as his continued fundraising could legally qualify him as a candidate for Congress.

In February, The Standard reported that Democratic Party officials had <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/26/nancy-pelosi-retirement-house-democrats-succession-plan/">commissioned research on possible successors</a> to Pelosi. Her daughter Christine Pelosi has served as an official for the national party and is frequently mentioned as <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/30/christine-pelosi-scott-wiener-shadow-campaign/">a potential candidate</a>.

Christine Pelosi breaks her silence on the &#8216;shadow campaign&#8217; against Scott Wiener

In February, The Standard reported that Democratic Party officials had <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/26/nancy-pelosi-retirement-house-democrats-succession-plan/">commissioned research on possible successors</a> to Pelosi. Her daughter Christine Pelosi has served as an official for the national party and is frequently mentioned as <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/30/christine-pelosi-scott-wiener-shadow-campaign/">a potential candidate</a>.

Scott Wiener launches 2028 bid for Nancy Pelosi’s seat in Congress

Gabe Greschler

Days after admonishing Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer over his willingness to support a Republican bill in order to avoid a government shutdown, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi affirmed her party’s support for the minority leader, saying she has confidence in his leadership.

Days after admonishing Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer over his willingness to support a Republican bill in order to avoid a government shutdown, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi affirmed her party’s support for the minority leader, saying she has confidence in his leadership.

Pelosi made the remarks during a Tuesday press conference about Democratic concerns over Medicaid funding, striking a unifying tone even as Schumer faced continued criticism over his actions last week.&nbsp;Schumer was expected to visit San Francisco this week as part of a planned book tour but <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/politics/chuck-schumer-postpones-tour-over-spending-vote-backlash/article_fc1ec1d6-036b-11f0-93a5-c3ef1697d2a6.html">postponed the appearance following backlash</a>.

Pelosi made the remarks during a Tuesday press conference about Democratic concerns over Medicaid funding, striking a unifying tone even as Schumer faced continued criticism over his actions last week.&nbsp;Schumer was expected to visit San Francisco this week as part of a planned book tour but <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/politics/chuck-schumer-postpones-tour-over-spending-vote-backlash/article_fc1ec1d6-036b-11f0-93a5-c3ef1697d2a6.html">postponed the appearance following backlash</a>.

“What happened last week was last week,” said Pelosi, adding that House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries had also offered support to Schumer on Tuesday. “We’re to the next stage on this now.”&nbsp;

“What happened last week was last week,” said Pelosi, adding that House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries had also offered support to Schumer on Tuesday. “We’re to the next stage on this now.”&nbsp;

But Pelosi appeared to suggest that Democrats made too many concessions during last week’s vote, which continued federal government funding through September.

But Pelosi appeared to suggest that Democrats made too many concessions during last week’s vote, which continued federal government funding through September.

Democrats argued that the bill offered hazy details on funding allocations and that the Trump administration would inappropriately spend the money, at a time when it has already pushed the legal limits of executive authority.&nbsp;

Democrats argued that the bill offered hazy details on funding allocations and that the Trump administration would inappropriately spend the money, at a time when it has already pushed the legal limits of executive authority.&nbsp;

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer hugs Eileen Mariano during a memorial for her grandmother U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, outside City Hall in San Francisco. Looking on are Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi.

The senator died at age 90 last week at her home in Washington, D.C. Feinstein, who was born and raised in San Francisco, had served in the Senate since 1992. She was a trailblazer, entering the office with a number of other women who advocated for liberal causes. Feinstein was also known for her pragmatism, which could reach across the aisle.

A hallmark of Feinstein's political career was when she was thrust into the mayor's office in 1978, when San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were killed at City Hall by former Supervisor Dan White. Feinstein, who was president of the Board of Supervisors, automatically succeeded Moscone.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1666" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FeinsteinFuneral1005_007.jpg?w=2500" alt="Four people stand in formal attire. Two are facing each other, embracing and shaking hands. The others are clapping, with chairs and a large doorway behind them." class="wp-image-208778"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sen. Chuck Schumer was criticized last week for supporting a Republican bill that avoided a government shutdown.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FeinsteinFuneral1005_007.jpg?w=2500" alt="Four people stand in formal attire. Two are facing each other, embracing and shaking hands. The others are clapping, with chairs and a large doorway behind them." class="wp-image-208778"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sen. Chuck Schumer was criticized last week for supporting a Republican bill that avoided a government shutdown.</figcaption></figure>

“I, myself, don’t give away anything for nothing,” Pelosi said. “And I think that’s what happened the other day. We could have, in my view, perhaps gotten [Republicans] to agree to a third way.”

“I, myself, don’t give away anything for nothing,” Pelosi said. “And I think that’s what happened the other day. We could have, in my view, perhaps gotten [Republicans] to agree to a third way.”

Criticism against Schumer exploded last week, as Democratic lawmakers <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/us/politics/absolutely-ridiculous-democrats-seethe-at-schumer-for-backing-gop-spending-bill.html">openly lambasted</a> his vote, and continued Tuesday. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzN1du4mms">During an appearance on &#8220;The View,&#8221;</a> he was confronted by some hosts but brushed off questions about his leadership and said he would continue as the Democratic leader in the Senate.

Criticism against Schumer exploded last week, as Democratic lawmakers <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/us/politics/absolutely-ridiculous-democrats-seethe-at-schumer-for-backing-gop-spending-bill.html">openly lambasted</a> his vote, and continued Tuesday. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzN1du4mms">During an appearance on "The View,"</a> he was confronted by some hosts but brushed off questions about his leadership and said he would continue as the Democratic leader in the Senate.

Criticism against Schumer exploded last week, as Democratic lawmakers <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/us/politics/absolutely-ridiculous-democrats-seethe-at-schumer-for-backing-gop-spending-bill.html">openly lambasted</a> his vote, and continued Tuesday. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzN1du4mms">During an appearance on &#8220;The View,&#8221;</a> he was confronted by some hosts but brushed off questions about his leadership and said he would continue as the Democratic leader in the Senate.

“No one wants to fight more than me, and no one fights more than me,” Schumer said. “We have to fight smart.”&nbsp;

“No one wants to fight more than me, and no one fights more than me,” Schumer said. “We have to fight smart.”&nbsp;

Tribe asks Trump to hand over the Presidio, slams Pelosi, Feinstein

Trump’s cuts are poised to make San Francisco’s homeless problem even worse

At Tuesday&#8217;s press conference, Pelosi was joined by other California lawmakers, including Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Rep. Kevin Mullin, and Rep. Mike Thompson, as well as public health leaders.

At Tuesday's press conference, Pelosi was joined by other California lawmakers, including Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Rep. Kevin Mullin, and Rep. Mike Thompson, as well as public health leaders.

At Tuesday&#8217;s press conference, Pelosi was joined by other California lawmakers, including Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Rep. Kevin Mullin, and Rep. Mike Thompson, as well as public health leaders.

The lawmakers gathered for a &#8220;Medicaid Day of Action&#8221; in an effort to raise awareness around what they describe as a Republican plan to gut the federal program that provides healthcare services to low-income children and adults.

The lawmakers gathered for a "Medicaid Day of Action" in an effort to raise awareness around what they describe as a Republican plan to gut the federal program that provides healthcare services to low-income children and adults.

The lawmakers gathered for a &#8220;Medicaid Day of Action&#8221; in an effort to raise awareness around what they describe as a Republican plan to gut the federal program that provides healthcare services to low-income children and adults.

Democrats say the Republican proposal would cut healthcare in order to issue trillion-dollar tax cuts.&nbsp;

Democrats say the Republican proposal would cut healthcare in order to issue trillion-dollar tax cuts.&nbsp;

“If there’s a scam out there, it&#8217;s those guys,” said Thompson, whose district covers part of the North Bay. &#8220;That scam will fall directly on the families of our great country.”

“If there’s a scam out there, it's those guys,” said Thompson, whose district covers part of the North Bay. "That scam will fall directly on the families of our great country.”

“If there’s a scam out there, it&#8217;s those guys,” said Thompson, whose district covers part of the North Bay. &#8220;That scam will fall directly on the families of our great country.”

Addressing the lack of consensus over Schumer, Schiff said Democrats should avoid disagreements as they fight to save Medicaid.

Addressing the lack of consensus over Schumer, Schiff said Democrats should avoid disagreements as they fight to save Medicaid.

&#8220;We&#8217;re going to have to do a lot better the next time a key issue like this comes up,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to have to figure out a way where the leadership in the House and the leadership in the Senate is on the same page and clearly communicating a unified message about the harms this administration is doing.&#8221;

"We're going to have to do a lot better the next time a key issue like this comes up," he said. "We're going to have to figure out a way where the leadership in the House and the leadership in the Senate is on the same page and clearly communicating a unified message about the harms this administration is doing."

&#8220;We&#8217;re going to have to do a lot better the next time a key issue like this comes up,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to have to figure out a way where the leadership in the House and the leadership in the Senate is on the same page and clearly communicating a unified message about the harms this administration is doing.&#8221;

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