Trump Signals Review of Samourai Wallet Developers' Case as Pardon Calls Grow

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he is aware of the case involving Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, adding that “We’ll look at that” when asked about the developers’ legal situation.

Trump Says ‘We’ll Look at That’ When Asked About Samourai Wallet Developer

Support has gathered around Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, as advocates work to capture President Trump’s attention with the aim of pursuing pardons. On Monday, Decrypt senior writer Sander Lutz raised the prospect of a pardon while asking about the case of convicted Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez.

Trump said, “I’ve heard about it, I’ll look at it,” then asked the reporter whether he wanted Rodriguez pardoned simply because he raised the question. He followed up by saying, “We’ll look at that, Pam,” as he turned to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The case has fueled debate around financial privacy, self-custody rights, and whether developers should bear liability for noncustodial tools, with frequent comparisons drawn to Tornado Cash.

The two were arrested in April 2024 by the U.S. Department of Justice in the Southern District of New York, facing charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, as prosecutors alleged the app’s mixing service enabled more than $2 billion in illicit transactions and laundered over $100 million tied to dark web markets, hacks, and other criminal activity between 2015 and 2024. There are claims challenging the allegations, with critics disputing the prosecution’s case.