President Donald Trump has pardoned the founding father of the Silk Street, Ross Ulbricht.
Ulbricht was sentenced again in 2015 to 2 life sentences with out the opportunity of parole for his function in creation the Silk Street, a darkish internet operation the place folks might purchase and promote illicit items and providers.
Posting on Reality Social, Trump acknowledged that Ulbricht’s sentence has been extreme.
“I simply known as the mom of Ross William Ulbright to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Motion, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have simply signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross,” Trump wrote.
“The scum that labored to convict him have been a number of the identical lunatics who have been concerned within the modern-day weaponization of presidency in opposition to me.”
”He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!”
Ross Ulbricht has been freed by President Trump with a full pardon! Thanks for conserving your phrase to me and others who’ve been advocating for Ross’ freedom, Mr. President! #freeRoss pic.twitter.com/wOJVFX1DaA
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 22, 2025
Ulbricht’s sentence had lengthy been a trigger célèbre for primarily libertarian activists, who consider that he was excessively punished for crimes wherein he had no direct involvement.
Amongst those that had lobbied for Trump to present Ross a pardon have been Senator Rand Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie, each of whom celebrated the choice to free him from jail.
I’m sending @POTUS a letter at the moment asking him to do the correct factor and free @RealRossU! pic.twitter.com/yrc3zPx9Nt
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) January 21, 2025
First launched in 2011 by Ulbricht underneath the pseudonym “Dread Pirate Roberts,” the Silk Street facilitated the sale of unlawful items, primarily medication, utilizing Bitcoin as its main forex.
In 2013, the FBI shut it down, arresting Ulbricht, who was convicted of a number of expenses, together with cash laundering, conspiracy to site visitors narcotics, and hacking.
Ross Ulbricht has been pardoned and freed by President Trump.
Whereas he deserved punishment for his function within the Silk Street, two life sentences with out parole was patently ridiculous.
It’s nice to see folks being give a second likelihood in life. pic.twitter.com/7i5H0kyz8q
— Ben Kew (@ben_kew) January 22, 2025
The marketing campaign to free Ulbricht has been in style and longstanding.
Via his household, he would typically publish on his X account, expressing hope that he sooner or later be launched and describing the challenges of day-to-day jail life.
This yr for Christmas, we got some milk and cookies.
It is inferior to being house with household nevertheless it did assist make issues somewhat extra cheerful in right here.
— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) December 28, 2024