RFK Jr. Promises to Pardon Ross Ulbricht if Elected
United States presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took to social media on Thursday, promising to free Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht if elected this November. RFK Jr. criticized Ulbricht’s two life sentences for what he described as “hosting an e-commerce platform,” and shared a petition to demand Ulbricht’s release from prison.
The Real “Crypto President”?
Former President Donald Trump has garnered attention from the crypto community for his recent support for the industry. Trump, a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, has branded himself as “the crypto President,” bringing cryptocurrencies into the national spotlight. However, RFK Jr.’s actions suggest a deeper commitment to the blockchain revolution.
In 2023, Kennedy proposed backing the United States dollar with Bitcoin and eliminating the capital gains tax on Bitcoin to help stabilize the currency. He also revealed that he purchased Bitcoin for each of his seven children, addressing critics who claimed he was promoting an asset he did not own.
Kennedy has opposed the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) due to privacy concerns and issues with the traditional banking system, a stance shared by Trump. More recently, Kennedy proposed placing the entire U.S. fiscal budget on the blockchain for unparalleled transparency and accountability, a bold move not suggested by any other U.S. politician.
Pardoning American Dissidents in the 2024 Election
As the 2024 election year approaches, pardoning American dissidents has become a popular topic for presidential candidates, including Trump, RFK Jr., and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the race, previously indicated he would pardon Julian Assange, Ulbricht, and other non-violent prisoners on day one. He is expected to be part of Trump’s future cabinet if Trump wins reelection in 2024.
Former President Trump has stated he is “very seriously” considering pardoning Assange. RFK Jr. has pledged to pardon Assange, whistleblower Edward Snowden, and Ulbricht if elected to office.
