Donald Trump promised to pardon Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht on the first day of his second term during his reelection campaign. Addressing the Libertarian National Convention in May 2024, Trump declared,
“If you vote for me, on day one, I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht.”
This vow gave hope to Ulbricht’s supporters, who have long been advocating for his release.
But the first day of Trump’s second term has come and gone, with no action taken. Having signed a slew of executive orders, the President attended the inaugural festivities without addressing Ulbricht’s case. There has been no further White House statement about whether Trump will make good on this promise any time soon
The Unassuming Idealist, Now Inside Prison Walls
Silk Road was founded in 2011 by materials science graduate and former Eagle Scout Ross Ulbricht. He envisioned the platform, at only 26 years old, as a marketplace for anonymous transactions fueled by Bitcoin, a free-market place for free trade and privacy.
“Within days, the site was known for illegal activity, allowing billions in transactions for drugs and other illegal products.”
Ulbricht was arrested in a dramatic sting operation inside a San Francisco library in October 2013. FBI agents took his laptop while it was logged into Silk Road’s admin panel. In 2015, he was convicted on dozens of charges, including narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking, and sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years without the possibility of parole.
What Was Promised?
Trump’s campaign pledge specifically mentioned commuting Ulbricht’s sentence, not granting a full pardon. Commutation shortens a sentence but does not eliminate the underlying conviction. By contrast, a pardon grants full forgiveness, vacating all penalties and restoring civil rights. Both actions are types of clemency but have different legal and symbolic impacts.
For Ulbricht, a commutation would lead to an early release, while a pardon would restore his rights but not necessarily erase his criminal record.
Behind Bars
Now into his 12th year behind bars, Ulbricht has gained a reputation as a model prisoner. He has devoted himself to tutoring other prisoners, general instruction, and gathering testimonials from more than 150 inmates in support of his release. Ulbricht’s case has become a flash point in larger discussions about criminal justice reform and the ethical gray areas of digital marketplaces.
Under such circumstances, Ulbricht has been grateful for the support he continues to receive from his supporters.
“After 11 years in prison, I can’t express what I feel at this moment,”
He wrote on social media following Trump’s campaign pledge.
“Thank you to my friends who have fought for me and much of all who have kept my story alive.”
A Polarizing Prosecution
Ulbricht’s story is polarizing. Supporters say his non-violent crimes don’t merit a sentence that long. Especially given his groundbreaking use of cryptocurrency, most think he’s being made an example of. As Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin put it,
“Life imprisonment for what you did is insane. I wish you the freedom that you deserve.”
Critics point to the destructive effects of Silk Road’s activities, including drug overdoses connected to drugs sold on the platform. Prosecutors characterized Ulbricht as the criminal mastermind who deliberately enabled risky transactions.
What’s Next for Ulbricht?
Trump’s inaction has now left Ulbricht’s supporters in limbo. They hope the President will keep his pledge, but so far there have been no tangible steps, leading to skepticism. Advocacy organizations are still pushing for clemency, highlighting Ulbricht’s contributions while behind bars and his expressed regret.
The wider crypto community has also come to support him, using Ulbricht’s case as a rallying point for questions of internet freedom and sentencing reform. So for now, the question is: Will Trump deliver on his promise, or will Ulbricht’s case be nothing but an indicator of promises broken?
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FAQs
1. Who is Ross Ulbricht?
They have become the focus of a series of lawsuits and, recently, one of the most infamous darknet marketplaces, Silk Road, which made one man notorious. Silk Road’s founder, Ross Ulbricht, was sentenced to life in prison for creating a darknet marketplace that allowed people to trade in Bitcoin without being tracked. He faces a life sentence for furthering illegal enterprises.
2. What did Donald Trump say he would do about Ross Ulbricht?
Trump, who is running for president again in 2024, promised to commute Ulbricht’s prison sentence on “day one” of his presidency if elected, further shining a light on the cryptocurrency founder’s case and raising hopes among advocates for Ulbricht’s release.
3. What’s the difference between a commutation and a pardon?
Commutation shortens a prison sentence; a pardon clears penalties and restores rights but does not nullify a conviction. Trump offered commutation, not a pardon.
4. What is controversial about Ross Ulbricht’s case?
His supporters contend that his presentence circumstances precluded him going to prison because he’s not a violent offender, whereas his critics remind of how Silk Road’s illegal transactions caused pain, and this has sparked debates on justice and freedom.
