Wed Jan 22 20:02:30 UTC 2025: ## Trump Pardons Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht

**Washington, D.C.** – In a move that has sparked significant controversy, President Donald Trump has pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the now-defunct online black market Silk Road. Ulbricht, known as “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was serving a life sentence for drug trafficking and other related charges. The pardon was announced Tuesday on Trump’s Truth Social platform, fulfilling a campaign promise made to Libertarian supporters.

Ulbricht’s Silk Road, operational between 2011 and 2013, facilitated the anonymous buying and selling of illegal drugs and other illicit goods. The site was described by the Justice Department as the “most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the internet” at the time. Ulbricht’s conviction in 2015 included charges of distributing narcotics, money laundering, and computer hacking.

Trump’s announcement cited the “scum” who prosecuted Ulbricht and framed the pardon as a gesture of support for the Libertarian movement, which had strongly backed his candidacy. He described Ulbricht’s double life sentence plus 40 years as “ridiculous.”

Libertarian activists have long campaigned for Ulbricht’s release, portraying him as a victim of government overreach rather than a dangerous criminal. They emphasized his early writings on creating a free and anonymous marketplace, a concept aligned with libertarian ideals.

The pardon has ignited fierce debate. While supporters celebrate Ulbricht’s release, critics point to the severity of his crimes and the potential for undermining law enforcement efforts. The Justice Department previously pursued charges against Ulbricht’s associates for alleged murders, though these charges were never proven. The long-term implications of this pardon and its impact on the fight against online crime remain to be seen.

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