President Donald Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, founder of the infamous Silk Road darknet marketplace, which he established in 2011. Initially intended to provide a platform for the free exchange of goods, Silk Road quickly became engulfed in illegal drug sales and other criminal activities. Ulbricht was arrested in 2013, convicted in 2015, and sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole. This pardon is viewed as a major triumph for libertarians who had argued his punishment was excessive, aligning with Trump's campaign promises made at the 2024 Libertarian Convention.
In a post on social media announcing the pardon, Trump argued that Ulbricht was a victim of "the modern day weaponization of government" and asserted that his sentence was "ridiculous."
Ulbricht's pardon is seen as a significant victory for libertarians who argue he was unfairly sentenced, reminiscing Trump's commitment during his campaign at the Libertarian Party National Convention.
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