Former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially pardoned Ross William Ulbricht, the mastermind behind the notorious dark web marketplace, Silk Road. Ulbricht had been serving a life sentence without parole after being convicted of running the illegal online platform.
Trump shared the news via his Truth Social platform, stating, “I just had the honor of calling Ross William Ulbricht’s mother to inform her that, in recognition of her and the Libertarian Movement that has supported me tremendously, I have signed a full and unconditional pardon for Ross.”
Criticizing the legal system, Trump described Ulbricht’s sentencing as “outrageous” and accused the prosecutors involved in the case of also targeting him during his time in office.
Ulbricht was arrested by the FBI in October 2013 after authorities traced his online activities through his email address. In 2015, a jury found him guilty on multiple charges, including money laundering, drug distribution, and hacking-related offenses. The U.S. Department of Justice had labeled Silk Road as one of the most intricate and expansive criminal enterprises on the internet.
Fulfilling a Campaign Promise
Trump’s decision aligns with a commitment he made during the Libertarian Party’s national convention in May 2024. He vowed that if re-elected, he would ensure Ulbricht’s release, arguing that he had already served more than a decade behind bars. “He’s been in prison for 11 years. It’s time to bring him home,” Trump had promised during his campaign speech.
Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee, hailed the pardon as a victory, referring to Ulbricht as “a political prisoner for over ten years.”
Silk Road and Its Impact
Ulbricht, operating under the alias “Dread Pirate Roberts,” inspired by the movie The Princess Bride, launched Silk Road in 2011. The platform enabled users to anonymously buy and sell drugs and illicit goods using Bitcoin. At its peak, the site attracted nearly a million users worldwide, with about 30% based in the United States.
During Ulbricht’s sentencing, former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara condemned him as a profiteer who exploited drug addiction and was indirectly responsible for several overdose deaths. Bharara stated, “Ulbricht evolved from a faceless cybercriminal to a symbol of online crime, proving that no one is beyond the reach of the law.”
While the pardon has drawn praise from libertarians who advocate for digital freedom, it has also sparked criticism from law enforcement officials and politicians who view it as a setback in the fight against cybercrime.
