Ross Ulbricht, the infamous founder of the dark web marketplace Silk Road, made a surprising appearance at a joint session of Congress on March 4th. This unexpected appearance comes less than two months after Ulbricht received a controversial pardon from former US President Donald Trump.

The Silk Road was an online marketplace that operated on the dark web, allowing users to buy and sell illegal goods and services using the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Ulbricht, who went by the pseudonym “Dread Pirate Roberts,” created and operated the site from 2011 to 2013. During this time, the Silk Road became notorious for its role in facilitating the sale of drugs, weapons, and other illegal activities.

In 2013, Ulbricht was arrested by the FBI and charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2015. However, in a controversial move, former President Trump granted Ulbricht a full pardon in his final days in office.

Ulbricht’s appearance at the joint session of Congress was met with mixed reactions. Some praised his courage for speaking out against the harsh sentencing laws for non-violent drug offenses, while others criticized his actions and the pardon he received.

During his speech, Ulbricht expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the harm caused by the Silk Road. He also called for criminal justice reform and urged lawmakers to reconsider the harsh sentences given to non-violent offenders.

While Ulbricht’s appearance at Congress may have been unexpected, it has sparked important conversations about the criminal justice system and the impact of the Silk Road on society. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Ulbricht and the legacy of the Silk Road, but his presence at the joint session of Congress has certainly reignited the debate surrounding his case.