How Trump Was Persuaded to Pardon an Online Drug Kingpin

In December 2023, Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian Party, traveled to Mar-a-Lago to meet Donald J. Trump.

According to Ms. McArdle, Mr. Trump sought her advice on winning over libertarian voters, believing their support could bolster his bid to reclaim the presidency. Her suggestion was clear: grant clemency to Ross Ulbricht, a Bitcoin pioneer serving a life sentence since 2015 for founding Silk Road, a massive online marketplace for drugs. Ulbricht had become a symbol of libertarian ideals for creating a platform that operated beyond government control.https://svtoday.org/

“I love freeing people,” Mr. Trump reportedly responded. Five months later, he appeared at the Libertarian Party’s national convention, hosted by Ms. McArdle, and declared his intention to pardon Ulbricht if elected.

On the day after his inauguration, Mr. Trump fulfilled that promise. He personally called Lyn Ulbricht, Ross’s mother, to inform her of the pardon. In a Truth Social post, Mr. Trump described the decision as “an honor to her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly.”

Unlike the nearly 1,600 individuals pardoned for January 6-related offenses that same week, Mr. Ulbricht had no direct ties to Mr. Trump. However, the pardon was the culmination of over a decade of advocacy by Ulbricht’s supporters—cryptocurrency enthusiasts, libertarian leaders, and, most notably, his mother.

These supporters had remarkable access to Mr. Trump and mounted a concerted lobbying campaign during his 2024 presidential run. This included pledging financial support for his campaign, demonstrating how a dedicated interest group can effectively influence a president’s decisions.

Ms. McArdle credited Richard Grenell, a longtime Trump adviser and former acting director of national intelligence, with facilitating her connection to Mr. Trump. She recalled Grenell advising her to approach discussions with Mr. Trump as business negotiations, saying, “He’s a deal-maker, Angela. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you want.”

Representatives for Grenell, the Ulbricht family, and the Trump administration declined to comment.

Mr. Ulbricht’s pardon highlights the power of a focused advocacy group, noted Dan Richman, a Columbia Law School professor and former federal prosecutor. However, he acknowledged the flaws in a pardon system influenced by political alliances.

Ulbricht founded Silk Road in 2011, transforming it into a hub of the Dark Web. It facilitated anonymous Bitcoin transactions for over 1.5 million deals, generating more than $200 million in revenue from the sale of illicit drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Users could even leave product reviews.

After his 2013 arrest in a San Francisco library, Ulbricht faced charges of operating Silk Road. Although prosecutors accused him of hiring hitmen to protect his business, no evidence of any murders was presented in court.

In 2015, a federal judge described Ulbricht as the “kingpin of a worldwide digital drug enterprise” and sentenced him to life in prison. While some legal experts viewed the punishment as excessive, libertarians and cryptocurrency advocates rallied behind him, arguing against harsh drug penalties and celebrating his role in Bitcoin’s adoption.

David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine and an advocate for Ulbricht’s release, noted, “Silk Road introduced a million people to Bitcoin. He embodies many of our community’s values.”

From prison, Ulbricht maintained his connection to Bitcoin, likening himself to a “proud parent” in a letter celebrating the cryptocurrency’s 10th anniversary. His family ran social media accounts sharing his art, prison updates, and appeals for clemency, frequently tagging Mr. Trump and his allies.

Lyn Ulbricht, meanwhile, worked tirelessly to popularize the “Free Ross” slogan at crypto events and forge connections with Republican politicians and influencers.

Despite discussions about clemency during Trump’s first term, no action was taken. The Ulbricht family expressed deep disappointment after his 2020 election loss.

The 2024 campaign reignited their efforts. Ms. Ulbricht reached out to influential Republicans, including presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who publicly supported her son’s release.

In late 2023, Ms. McArdle became a key ally after being contacted by Mr. Grenell. During her meeting with Mr. Trump, she argued that Ulbricht was a victim of prosecutorial overreach and an unfair justice system, paralleling grievances Mr. Trump himself had expressed.

By mid-2023, Mr. Trump had publicly committed to Ulbricht’s release. At a Nashville conference hosted by Bitcoin Magazine, he reiterated his promise, initially suggesting a sentence commutation but later meeting privately with Ms. Ulbricht to discuss a full pardon.

Ms. McArdle faced criticism from some libertarians over her collaboration with Mr. Trump. However, she remained engaged with his administration, urging them to honor their pledge.

On Tuesday, as Ms. McArdle and other advocates waited for news, Mr. Trump’s administration delivered. Hours later, the Ulbricht family posted a photo of Ross leaving prison, carrying a plant and his belongings.

“FREEDOM!!!!” the caption read.