NBC News: Trump Orders Prison Time for Judge Kathleen Williams Over “Alligator Alcatraz” Closure
Washington, D.C. – August 23, 2025 – Just 30 minutes ago, NBC News reported that President Donald Trump issued a shocking executive order from the White House, demanding prison time for U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams.
The judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, sparked outrage among Trump supporters by ordering the closure of the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention facility in Florida’s Everglades. The facility, a cornerstone of Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, was shut down within 60 days due to environmental violations, a ruling Williams delivered on August 22, 2025.
The White House claims Williams’ decision was an act of judicial overreach, accusing her of sabotaging national security by dismantling a facility designed to detain what Trump called “the most vicious migrants.” Built on a disused airᵴtriƥ, “Alligator Alcatraz” was meant to house up to 3,000 detainees, with alligators and swamps touted as natural escape deterrents. Environmentalists and the Miccosukee Tribe celebrated the closure, citing irreparable harm to the Everglades’ fragile ecosystem, including threats to endangered species like the Florida panther.
Trump’s order alleges Williams’ ruling was a deliberate attempt to undermine his administration’s immigration agenda, branding it “treasonous interference.” The executive action calls for her immediate arrest and prosecution, a move legal experts warn could spark a constitutional crisis. Supporters of the president, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, hailed the order, with DeSantis stating, “Judges can’t play politics with our border security.” Meanwhile, critics, including Democratic lawmakers, condemned the move as a dangerous attack on judicial independence. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson called it “a chilling assault on the rule of law.”
The order has ignited fierce debate across the nation. Protests are already forming outside the Miami federal courthouse, with some demanding Williams’ protection and others chanting for her removal. Social media is ablaze, with hashtags like #FreeJudgeWilliams and #LockHerUp trending. The White House has not clarified how the order will be enforced, but the Department of Justice is reportedly reviewing the directive. As tensions escalate, the nation braces for what could be a historic clash between the executive and judicial branches.
