In a significant and contentious decision, former President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous Silk Road online marketplace. Ulbricht had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole since his conviction in 2015. The decision to pardon Ulbricht, who was found guilty on seven counts, including distributing narcotics and conspiracy to commit computer hacking, has sparked widespread debate.
Silk Road operated as a global hub for illicit drug sales between 2011 and 2013, facilitating over $200 million in transactions, primarily conducted in bitcoin. This anonymity provided by bitcoin allowed vendors to obscure their identities, making it a revolutionary platform for the trade of illegal substances. Ulbricht, once heralded as a pioneer in the digital currency community for his early adoption of bitcoin, was ultimately sentenced to two life terms plus an additional 40 years after being convicted in federal court.
Prosecutors argued that Silk Road contributed to the death of at least six individuals due to overdoses from drugs purchased through the site. Despite these grave accusations, Trump dismissed the severity of Ulbricht's sentencing.
"He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!" – Donald Trump
In announcing the pardon, Trump made it clear that his decision was not just a legal action but also a political statement. He criticized the federal prosecutors involved in Ulbricht's case as "scum" and drew parallels to his own recent federal and state legal challenges.
"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" – Donald Trump
Ulbricht expressed gratitude to Trump in a post on X, acknowledging those who advocated for his pardon. Many see this act as part of Trump's broader campaign strategy to garner support from the cryptocurrency industry.
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