On Tuesday, President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to the creator of a notorious dark web drug marketplace, contradicting his earlier tough rhetoric against fentanyl distributors and other traffickers.
This pardon, concerning Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, was announced on the same day that Trump threatened to enact severe penalties against China for its lax enforcement on fentanyl production.
Trump made the announcement via a Truth Social post on Tuesday evening, fulfilling one of his campaign commitments. He stated: “I just spoke with the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to inform her that, in recognition of her and the Libertarian Movement, which has shown me tremendous support, I have signed a complete and unconditional pardon for her son, Ross.”
He added, “The individuals who conspired to convict him were among the same individuals who have been involved in the contemporary misuse of government against me. He received two life sentences along with an additional 40 years. Absurd!,” he concluded.
Ulbricht was apprehended by the FBI in 2013, facing accusations of managing an international drug marketplace on the dark web that produced millions from the sale of illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
In 2015, he was found guilty of multiple charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering, resulting in a life sentence with no possibility of parole.
This pardon coincided with Trump’s threats against China, citing a potential 10% tariff on imports of goods made there, blaming their actions for the fentanyl smuggling into Mexico and Canada. Trump indicated that this tariff could go into effect as early as February 1.
The President has previously mentioned imposing a 25% tax on imports from Mexico and Canada, attributing the influx of undocumented migrants and drugs into the U.S. to these countries.
While the FBI and U.S. judicial system categorized Ulbricht as a criminal, many in the crypto and Libertarian communities view him differently, regarding him as a figure of heroism. His use of Bitcoin for transactions on Silk Road garnered considerable admiration among cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
“It’s indisputable that Ross Ulbricht was one of the most prominent and impactful entrepreneurs during the early Bitcoin period,” stated Pete Rizzo, an editor for Bitcoin Magazine, in an interview with The New York Times. “This signifies the industry uniting to assert, ‘We are taking back control.’”
Ulbricht was also hailed by fellow Libertarians as a pioneer of free markets and became a martyr for the movement, with supporters displaying “Free Ross” signs during Trump’s address at their national convention in May 2024. They have long claimed that Ulbricht merely provided the platform while not personally participating in drug sales or possession and framed his actions as a libertarian trial in free trade rather than outright criminal behavior.
“For more than ten years, Ross Ulbricht has been a political prisoner in the Libertarian movement. I’m proud to say that advocating for his freedom has been one of our primary objectives, and this effort has finally borne fruit,” stated Angela McArdle, Chair of the Libertarian National Committee, in a statement following Trump’s pardon.
“Ross, congratulations to you and your family. May God bless you and protect you as you embrace your newfound freedom. On behalf of the Libertarian Party, we are pleased to present you with an honorary lifetime membership. Our gratitude extends to President Trump for honoring his commitment. This moment is monumental in Libertarian history.”
