Trump Pardons Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht After 11 Years in Prison

The controversial decision fulfills a campaign promise and reignites debate over Ulbricht's harsh sentencing and the justice system.

Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, was pardoned by President Donald Trump after serving over 11 years of a double life sentence plus 40 years.
Trump's decision honors a campaign promise made to the Libertarian Party, which had long advocated for Ulbricht's release as a symbol of government overreach.
Ulbricht expressed gratitude to Trump in a video, calling him 'a man of his word' and emphasizing the importance of second chances and freedom.
Critics of the pardon highlight the severity of Ulbricht's crimes, which included facilitating over $200 million in illegal transactions, though some argue his punishment was excessive.
Ulbricht's release has sparked significant financial support, with over $267,000 raised to aid his reintegration, while questions remain about his potential access to dormant Bitcoin wallets worth millions.