In a most shocking move, former President Donald Trump has offered a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, known for creating one of the darkest corners of the web. Specifically Silk Road – the notorious marketplace which operated in the dark web from 2011 to 2013. Authorities charged him in 2015 with running narcotics trafficking operations, money laundering and hacking computers. This resulted in a double life sentence with no parole possibility.
Trump announced the pardon via his Truth Social platform, describing the case as a miscarriage of justice. “The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics weaponising government against me,” Trump claimed. He reportedly called Ulbricht’s mother to personally inform her of the decision.
The Story Behind Silk Road
Silk Road came to prominence as a secretive platform that could only be reached through the Tor network and supported anonymous Bitcoin-based transactions. Through this, buyers could access drugs, hacking tools and even forged documents. Prosecutors reported that before it was brought down by the FBI in 2013, Silk Road supported $200 million worth of illegal drug sales.
Operating under the alias “Dread Pirate Roberts,” Ulbricht was accused of making millions in Bitcoin while maintaining the site. Prosecutors also alleged that he solicited six murders-for-hire, although no evidence surfaced that these acts were carried out.
During his trial, District Judge Katherine Forrest described Silk Road as Ulbricht’s “carefully planned life’s work,” emphasising the significant consequences of his actions. She issued a harsh sentence to deter others from following in his footsteps.
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A Divided Response
President Trump’s move reignited debate over Ulbricht’s case. Libertarian groups and some lawmakers, like Representative Thomas Massie, have long said that the punishment was excessive and reflective of government overreach. Massie praised Trump for fulfilling his promise to address the issue.
On the other hand, critics point to the scale of criminal activity enabled by Silk Road, arguing that Ulbricht’s actions had severe societal repercussions. The case has become a flashpoint in discussions about privacy, technology, and the limits of government authority.
What’s Next for Ulbricht?
With that pardon, Ulbricht can rebuild his life, which he has not seen in nearly a decade. The broader legal and political implications of the decision are likely to continue to prompt heated debate for years to come.
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