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Trump Grants Full, Unconditional Pardon to Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht, Criticizes Prosecutors

Jan 22, 2025, 12:01 AM

President Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road darknet marketplace. Ulbricht had been serving two life sentences plus 40 years for charges including drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and computer hacking. Trump's decision fulfills a campaign promise made "in honor of the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly." The President reportedly called Ulbricht's mother, Lyn Ulbricht, to inform her of the pardon, stating that "He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!" Trump also criticized the people who convicted Ulbricht, referring to them as "scum" and linking them to the "weaponization of government" against him. Ulbricht, considered a hero by many libertarians for his early adoption of Bitcoin to facilitate transactions on Silk Road, is released after nearly 10 years in prison.