From my understanding, the clemency process is actually incredibly time consuming, as every case that receives a Presidential pardon is thoroughly reviewed by staff, before the President himself. I suspect it would be almost impossible to get a pardon at this stage from President Obama, there simply isn't enough time for him to review a last minute case amongst all the other things his office is trying to do before he leaves office.
While pardons are predominantly issued at the tail end of a President's term, there is no requirement that they be so, so you can certainly still appeal once the new President takes office.
Everyone said I was crazy to do this. I think the exact words were it is never going to happen, how are you going to crack through all that noise in DC, and that nobody is really going to care right now.
I think people assumed I was stupid, since my response to most was look I know the odds of Obama granting this are practically none, and getting him to look at it, there’s not really a chance. I probably have 3 people who have looked at my thread, and it’s true that nobody really cares.
Here’s how I look at it, the federal government took 6 years of my dad’s life, 6 years of my life, our family, our friends, they spent over $2 Million dollars prosecuting this man, who when you look at the site and the facts was a complete waste of taxpayer money. And we continue to pay to jail him, simply to send a message to all of those who dare challenge the federal government by pleading not guilty.
I will be thrilled if we receive clemency, but that’s not the most realistic thing in the world. What I think I have earned the right to, is simply have my voice heard. With one swoosh of the pen Obama can change everything and reunite me with my father, is 5 minutes consideration really too much to ask?
Part of Obama's last days in office are about protecting his legacy. Correcting this injustice is one thing Obama could achieve with the swoosh of a pen.
While pardons are predominantly issued at the tail end of a President's term, there is no requirement that they be so, so you can certainly still appeal once the new President takes office.