By: E&P Staff According to press reports, President George W. Bush has been summoned for jury service, likely in Crawford, Texas. His press secretary, Scott McClellan was asked to confirm the reports at his briefing with reporters today.
He also was asked about the possibility that if he eventually served his jury duty, the president could end up being called for a trial involving recently arrested antiwar protestor Cindy Sheehan.
Here are the relevant excerpts.
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Q Has the President been summoned for jury duty in Crawford? And if so, will he serve?
MR. McCLELLAN: No. Good question, and I can update you on that. At this point, we've never received a jury summons from the court. We checked, but when we learned about it, I think through media reports, we did reach out to the court to find out about this jury summons. And apparently, this summons was for Monday, December 5th.
We have since called the court to inform them that the President has other commitments on Monday -- (laughter) -- and that he would like to reschedule his jury duty. And so we'll be working with the court to reschedule his jury duty. The judge, in fact, was the one who we reached out to and contacted, and he indicated that that would be fine and that he would work with us to reschedule. (Laughter.)
Q When are you rescheduling it for?
Q Where will the --
MR. McCLELLAN: But, let me -- one serious note, one serious note, jury duty is an important civic responsibility, and it's important that people do serve.
Q Would he like to serve in the Cindy Sheehan case down there? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, April. That was Ken Herman, Cox News Service, for the record. (Laughter.)
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Q Is this the first time the President would have received a summons since becoming President?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I don't -- oh, since becoming President.
Q Yes.
MR. McCLELLAN: It's the first I can recall off the top of my head. I'd have to double check that, though.
Q Is he going to get Gonzales to get him off again?
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.
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