Ulbricht's story has long been a lightning rod for discussions around sentencing reform, the ethics of decentralized platforms, and the role of government in

Libertarian activists, who generally oppose criminal drug policies, argued the government overreached in building its case against Ross Ulbricht and the dark web marketplace Silk Road.

Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht has spoken out for the first time since U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned him earlier this week.