Trump Pardons Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht, Calls Sentence 'Ridiculous'

Jan 21, 2025, 11:57 PM

President Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, founder of the dark web marketplace Silk Road. Ulbricht, who was arrested in 2013 and had served nearly 10 years in prison, was serving two life sentences plus 40 years for charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking. The pardon fulfills a promise Trump made to Libertarians during his campaign. Trump reportedly called Ulbricht's mother to deliver the news, stating it was his 'pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon,' and labeled the original sentence 'ridiculous.' He also criticized those involved in Ulbricht's conviction, referring to them as 'scum.'