Nobody is immune from having to fulfil their civic duty.
Former President Barack Obama has been called up for jury duty in Cook County, Illinois, and plans to carry it out, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The news comes via Tim Evans, the Chief Judge of Cook County – where Obama owns a home – who says that Donald Trump’s predecessor’s security detail will be accommodated.
“Obviously we will make certain that he has all the accoutrements that accompany a former president. His safety will be uppermost in our minds,” said Judge Evans.
“He made it crystal-clear to me through his representative that he would carry out his public duty as a citizen and resident of this community.”
This is not the first time Obama has been called up to serve on a jury – he was also called up in 2010 as he prepared for his first State of the Union address.
He was not able to serve on that occasion.
“Although it’s not a place where the public can earn a lot of money, it is highly appreciated,” Evans also told the Tribune on Friday.
“It’s crucial that our society get the benefit of that kind of commitment.”
Obama is not the first former, or sitting, President to be called up to serve on a jury – his predecessor George W. Bush showed up for jury duty in Dallas in 2015.
