18 sources·Politics

Trump Pardons Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht

President Trump grants a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, Silk Road founder, restoring his freedom after a life sentence for drug-related crimes.

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By granting a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, Donald Trump not only responds to the appeals from the Libertarian Movement but also makes a controversial statement about criminal justice reform in cases involving non-violent offenses.
Trump pardons Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht
CNBC·3M
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The pardon of Ross Ulbricht reflects Trump's alignment with the Libertarian ideals and highlights a troubling trend of leniency towards individuals who engaged in serious criminal activities under the guise of personal freedom.
Trump Pardons Ross Ulbricht, Creator of Silk Road Dark Web Marketplace
Rolling Stone·3M
Mixed Reliable
This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
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Left
This outlet favors left-wing views.
President Trump's decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht highlights his willingness to challenge conventional justice in favor of the Libertarian ideals that resonate with his political base.
Trump pardons Ross Ulbricht, creator of online black market for illegal drugs
USA TODAY·3M
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Trump's decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht underscores his alignment with libertarian values and his unwavering stance against what he perceives as the unjust weaponization of government.
Trump Pardons ‘Silk Road’ Founder
Daily Caller·3M
Mixed Reliable
This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
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Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.
Trump's decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht not only highlights his alignment with Libertarian ideals but also raises questions about government overreach and the future of digital marketplaces.
Trump pardons dark web marketplace creator Ross Ulbricht
NPR·3M
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Trump's decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht underscores his willingness to leverage his power in controversial ways, while also aligning himself with libertarian sentiments against government overreach.
Trump Pardons Founder of Silk Road Website
TIME Magazine·3M
Reliable
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Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.
Trump's decision to grant a pardon to Ross Ulbricht highlights a significant shift in leadership towards embracing libertarian ideals and challenging what many view as government overreach in the realm of personal freedoms.
Trump pardons Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road drug marketplace
The Guardian·3M
Reliable
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Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.
The decision to issue a full and unconditional pardon for Ross Ulbricht highlights a troubling trend where the severity of legal consequences seems to be overshadowed by political favor and support from certain ideological groups.
Trump issues full pardon for Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road
The Blaze·3M
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Right
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Trump’s decision to pardon Ulbricht not only reflects his ongoing support for the Libertarian Movement but also underscores a controversial stance on the justice system's treatment of those involved in non-violent offenses.
Trump says he pardoned founder of Silk Road criminal marketplace | Politics
CNN·3M
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Leans Left
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The decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht highlights a controversial intersection of criminal justice reform and the growing advocacy for individual freedoms within the realm of cryptocurrency.
Trump pardons Ross Ulbricht, creator of dark web marketplace Silk Road
Al Jazeera·3M
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Leans Left
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Trump's decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht exemplifies a controversial stance on criminal justice, particularly in the context of drug offenses and government overreach.
Trump pardons Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht
CBS News·3M
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Center
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Trump's decision to pardon Ulbricht underscores his commitment to the Libertarian values that brought him political support, despite the controversial nature of Ulbricht's past actions.
Trump pardons Silk Road founder 'in honor of Libertarian Movement'
Straight Arrow News·3M
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Center
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The decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht raises profound questions about justice and accountability, particularly in the context of the rising influence of personal liberties over societal laws.
Trump Pardons Silk Road Black Market Founder Ross Ulbricht, Rails Against ‘The Scum That Worked To Convict Him’
MEDIAite·3M
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Leans Left
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The unconditional pardon of Ross Ulbricht by President Trump underscores a troubling trend of prioritizing political allegiances over justice, reflecting a distorted understanding of accountability.
Trump signs 'full and unconditional' pardon of Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht
FOX News·3M
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Leans Right
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Trump's decisive action in granting a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht not only fulfills a promise made at the Libertarian Party convention but also exemplifies the influence of the Libertarian movement on federal policy.
Trump Gives Full Pardon to ‘Silk Road’ Founder Ross Ulbricht
New York Sun·3M
Mixed Reliable
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Right
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Trump's decision to grant a pardon to Ross Ulbricht, despite his usual stance on drug-related offenses, is a significant gesture that acknowledges the libertarian constituency's influence, showcasing a rare moment where he seems to respond positively to calls for justice.
President Donald Trump pardons Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht
Reason·3M
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Center
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Trump's decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht represents a significant moment of alignment with the Libertarian movement, showcasing his commitment to addressing what many view as an unjust and overly harsh sentence.
Trump Keeps Pledge, Pardons Silk Road Founder Ulbricht
Newsmax·3M
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Right
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Updated: Jan 22nd, 2025, 2:40 AM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

On January 20, 2025, President Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the convicted founder of Silk Road, citing disproportionate sentencing and aligning with Libertarian values. Ulbricht, serving a life sentence since 2015 for managing a dark web marketplace linked to illicit activities, saw activists long campaign for his release, arguing his conviction exemplified government overreach. Trump's decision fulfills a prior campaign promise, enhancing his support from the Libertarian movement. Trump also pardoned numerous other individuals, including participants of the January 6 Capitol riot, on his first day back in office.

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