Actor Zeeko Zaki, the star of Dick Wolf’s hit CBS drama FBI, is chiming in on former President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to reopen Alcatraz — and surprisingly, he’s not entirely against it.
TMZ caught up with Zeeko at LAX, where the on-screen Special Agent shared his thoughts on reviving one of America’s most notorious federal prisons. Though it may sound like something out of a Hollywood script, Zeeko says he supports the idea — at least in principle.
“If it’s for locking up the worst of the worst, then I’m kinda down,” Zaki told TMZ.
A Prison Steeped in Infamy
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, located on an island in the San Francisco Bay, was operational from 1934 to 1963. It was once home to some of the most dangerous criminals in American history, including Al Capone and Robert Stroud, the infamous “Birdman of Alcatraz.”
Now a historic site and popular tourist attraction, Alcatraz has long been decommissioned. But Trump recently floated the bold idea of reopening the facility, potentially as part of his vision for “tougher crime policies” should he regain political power.
From TV Agent to Policy Pundit?
Zeeko Zaki, known for portraying Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan on FBI, has spent years chasing down fictional bad guys on screen. But his take on Alcatraz reflects a blend of real-world pragmatism and Hollywood flair.
He acknowledged that while reopening Alcatraz could serve a symbolic or strategic purpose, it also presents logistical challenges — especially in today’s high-tech surveillance age.
“You know how many people are going to be flying drones over that thing?” Zeeko joked. “We’d probably have to add some anti-drone measures just to keep it secure.”
Zaki even teased that FBI creator Dick Wolf might take the idea seriously if he hears about it:
“Keep this away from Dick… or he’s gonna spin this off real quick!”
Given Wolf’s track record — turning franchises like Law & Order into TV empires — it’s not hard to imagine a gritty new procedural called Alcatraz: Lockdown hitting CBS in the near future.
Social Media Reacts
Social media had mixed reactions to Trump’s proposal and Zaki’s response. While some users applauded the tough-on-crime tone, others pointed out the symbolic nature of reopening a prison like Alcatraz in modern times.
“Zeeko Zaki supporting Trump’s Alcatraz idea? Now I’ve seen it all,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Another joked: “Plot twist — Trump just wants a beachfront view for his cell.”
Reality vs. TV Fantasy
While Zeeko’s stance is clearly more tongue-in-cheek than political, it does touch on an interesting intersection of pop culture and policy. With public safety, prison reform, and criminal justice continuing to dominate national headlines, even ideas like reviving Alcatraz can trigger serious debate.
Zaki didn’t go as far as endorsing Trump politically but emphasized his fictional role’s mantra — protect the public and take down the worst threats. Whether that includes an island fortress remains to be seen.
For now, fans can catch him battling crime weekly on FBI, and who knows? If Dick Wolf gets inspired, maybe Zaki’s next mission will take him to a windswept island in San Francisco Bay.
