Trump pardons Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht

President Donald Trump has issued a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, who was serving two life sentences plus 40 years for drug trafficking and related offenses. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed that Ulbricht's sentence was 'ridiculous' and criticized those involved in his prosecution, suggesting a political motivation behind it. Ulbricht's case has garnered significant attention from libertarian activists and advocates for criminal justice reform, who argue he was a victim of government overreach. Trump's decision aligns with his campaign promises and follows a letter from Senator Rand Paul urging the pardon. The Silk Road was infamous for facilitating the sale of illegal drugs, leading to multiple overdose deaths linked to substances purchased through the site. This pardon continues Trump's trend of using his executive power to address controversial criminal cases, including a mass pardon for individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot shortly after taking office.