Trump Pardons Founder of Notorious Dark Web Marketplace

Donald Trump

(TheIndependentStar.com) – In a bold move, President Donald Trump has issued a full pardon to controversial Silk Road marketplace founder Ross Ulbricht.

Announced on Truth Social, this decision fulfills a campaign promise the president made during the Libertarian Party’s National Convention.

Trump posted:

“I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross.”

The pardon has sparked a firestorm of debate about criminal justice reform and online crime deterrence.

Trump’s pardon of Ulbricht comes as a significant victory for libertarians and cryptocurrency enthusiasts who have long argued that Ulbricht’s life sentence was excessively harsh.

The Silk Road founder, who operated under the alias “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was convicted in 2015 on seven drug and conspiracy charges related to the dark web marketplace.

In a scathing rebuke, Trump declared, “The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me.”

The pardon has been met with overwhelming support from the Libertarian Party and prominent figures like Republican congressman Thomas Massie.

Massie expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you for keeping your word to me and others who have been advocating for Ross’ freedom.”

Critics of the pardon argue that it could potentially embolden other online criminals.

However, supporters contend Ulbricht’s case highlights the need for a more balanced approach to sentencing in the digital age.

The Silk Road, which operated on the dark web and was accessible only through Tor, facilitated over 1.5 million transactions, primarily for illicit drugs, generating over $200 million in revenue.

Ulbricht’s pardon is seen as a significant win for the cryptocurrency community, which views him as a pioneering figure in the early days of Bitcoin.

Pete Rizzo of Bitcoin Magazine emphasized this sentiment: “It’s hard to argue that Ross Ulbricht wasn’t the most successful and influential entrepreneur of the early Bitcoin era.”

This pardon not only fulfills a campaign promise but also solidifies Trump’s support among libertarians and crypto enthusiasts.

It sends a clear message that the Trump administration is committed to addressing perceived injustices within the criminal justice system and pushing back against government overreach.

As the nation grapples with the implications of this pardon, one thing is clear: Trump continues to shake up the establishment and challenge the status quo, much to his supporters’ delight and his critics’ dismay.

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