Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, fulfilling a promise made during his re-election campaign.
- The pardon has garnered support from libertarians and crypto advocates who viewed Ulbricht’s life sentence as excessive.
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President Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous Silk Road marketplace. This decision fulfills a key campaign promise made by Trump during his bid for re-election, though it arrived later than anticipated.
Trump announced the pardon on Truth Social, stating he informed Ross Ulbricht’s mother of the decision, honoring her and the Libertarian Movement. He criticized the prosecutors involved, calling the double life sentence plus 40 years “ridiculous.”
“Words cannot express how grateful we are,” the family’s Free Ross campaign account wrote on X. “President Trump is a man of his word and he just saved Ross’s life. ROSS IS A FREE MAN!!!!!”
In May 2024, Trump pledged to commute Ulbricht’s sentence on his first day in office during his speech at the Libertarian National Convention. He reiterated his pledge at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference later in July, which has led many to believe he will follow through now that he has assumed office.
“If you vote for me, on day one I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht, to a sentence of time served. He’s already served 11 years. We’re going to get him home,” said Trump, speaking at the Libertarian National Convention.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. After 11 years in prison, it is hard to express how I feel at this moment. It is thanks to your undying support that I may get a second chance,” Ulbricht expressed his gratitude the following day on X.
Ulbricht has served over 11 years in prison since he was handed a double life sentence, plus 40 years, without parole in 2015 for his role in creating and running the Silk Road, known for the sale of illegal drugs and other illicit goods.
His case has garnered widespread attention and support from libertarians, crypto advocates, and those who argue that his punishment was excessively harsh.
Elon Musk said Monday that Ulbricht was set to be “freed,” responding to a call from an X user.
Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee, also reported that Trump’s staff assured her a pardon for Ulbricht was forthcoming.
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