U.S. President Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the mastermind behind Silk Road, a notorious dark web marketplace known for facilitating illegal drug sales.
Ulbricht was convicted in 2015 in New York on charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking, receiving a life sentence. His case had been championed by libertarians who viewed his prosecution as an instance of government overreach. Trump, aligning with these sentiments, personally informed Ulbricht’s mother of the decision.
Silk Road, which operated on the dark web before being shut down in 2013, enabled transactions using Bitcoin and also offered hacking tools and fraudulent documents. Prosecutors argued that the platform facilitated over $200 million in illegal drug sales. Additionally, authorities accused Ulbricht of soliciting multiple murder-for-hire plots, though no evidence confirmed any killings took place.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, criticized the legal system, stating that those involved in Ulbricht’s conviction were the same individuals responsible for politically motivated prosecutions. “He was given two life sentences plus 40 years—ridiculous!” Trump wrote.
Ulbricht, who operated under the alias “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was arrested in 2013 at a San Francisco public library during a sting operation. FBI investigators meticulously traced his online activity, leading to his capture. During sentencing, District Judge Katherine Forrest condemned his actions, stating he was no different from any other drug dealer and that his platform was his “carefully planned life’s work.”
Despite Silk Road’s shutdown, similar dark web marketplaces have since emerged, continuing to facilitate illicit trade.
Trump had previously hinted at commuting Ulbricht’s sentence during a speech at the Libertarian National Convention while seeking support for his 2024 presidential campaign.
The Libertarian Party, long advocating for Ulbricht’s release, hailed his pardon as a victory against excessive government intervention. Congressman Thomas Massie, a Trump ally, applauded the decision, thanking the former president for honoring his commitment to Ulbricht’s supporters.
