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Trump Pardons Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht

Trump Pardons Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht

President Trump fulfilled a campaign promise to Libertarian supporters on his second day back in office by pardoning Ross Ulbricht, the former creator and operator of the underground e-commerce site known for drug trafficking.

Ulbricht, also known as the “Dread Pirate Roberts,” ran the notorious Silk Road marketplace from 2011 until its shutdown by law enforcement in 2013, culminating in his arrest at a California public library.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced, “I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that, in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross. The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics involved in the modern-day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences plus 40 years. Ridiculous!” At the time of his sentencing in 2015, Ulbricht was 31 years old. He was convicted of offenses including drug distribution, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to commit computer hacking, and money laundering.

The Justice Department previously pursued charges against Ulbricht’s associates who claimed involvement in multiple murders on his behalf, although these allegations were never substantiated.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara described Silk Road as a hub for criminal activity, allowing users to “buy and sell illegal drugs and other illicit goods anonymously, outside the reach of law enforcement.” He characterized it as the “most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the internet” at the time, claiming that Ulbricht made tens of millions through the platform. Authorities undertook extensive measures, including infiltrating the site and seizing a server located in Iceland, to investigate Ulbricht and his associates.

In early writings, Ulbricht expressed his goal of creating a free and anonymous marketplace, emphasizing the use of economic theory to eliminate coercion and aggression among individuals. The Silk Road required users to employ Tor for anonymity and to pay in Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, aligning with Libertarian values that advocate for individual liberties.

Supporters have rallied around Ulbricht’s case for years, promoting the “Free Ross” campaign and portraying him as a young, “peace-loving” former Eagle Scout who made mistakes rather than as a “dangerous kingpin.” They contend that his life sentence exemplifies government overreach.

Trump has shown openness to Libertarian concerns, having promised to commute Ulbricht’s sentence during the Libertarian National Convention in May 2024 and gaining favor with figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He has also pledged to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet,” standing alongside prominent Bitcoin advocates.

Ulbricht expressed his excitement on social media following Trump’s election win, reminding him of his commitment to a pardon. One week after the election, he posted on X, stating he “can finally see the light of freedom at the end of the tunnel.”

Credit: NPR

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