Confidence is high that social media-savvy crooks could have pulled off a daring jailbreak Friday morning in Houston. By all accounts, everyone in the courthouse appears to have been mesmerized by Sen. Ted Cruz’s surprise appearance.

Reporting for jury duty in Houston: Ted Cruz. pic.twitter.com/bNsMwP14gY — Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) January 9, 2015

The Texas Republican made his way over to the Harris County legal complex to comply with the summons he’d received a few weeks back. His showing up was cause célèbre enough, given that federal lawmakers are, by law, exempt from having to be impaneled.  

So off Cruz toddled through the security line.

Sen. Ted Cruz goes through security like everyone else for jury service in Harris County, Texas @HPMNews887 #hounews pic.twitter.com/P0uOvd4RKi — Gail Delaughter (@Gail_HPM) January 9, 2015

The sight of his bright white tube socks sparked a mini-debate on social media as to whether athletic hosiery was appropriate for a professional situation. Supporters quickly swooped in to point out that what’s going on underneath is far less important than wearing cowboy boots in the first place.  

Once inside, Cruz braved a gauntlet of photo-ops.

First jury duty, and I get to meet Senator Ted Cruz #TedCruz pic.twitter.com/fyHi5SL1Zz — Nazanin Hebel (@nhebel) January 9, 2015

   

 

I am so excited!!! Thanks for taking a pic @SenTedCruz pic.twitter.com/LsTgsie5b2 — PUT (@putnammm) January 9, 2015

The incident even sparked unsolicited legal advice from well positioned well-wishers.

.@SenTedCruz reported for jury duty today. Lawyer tip—scream “Did you order the Code Red?!” during jury selection. pic.twitter.com/YfXZc1q3zz — Justice Don Willett (@JusticeWillett) January 9, 2015

“Scream ‘Did you order the Code Red’?!” Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett quipped, offering up a tagline from a highly volatile confrontation in “A Few Good Men.”  

Per Team Cruz, this the first time the former solicitor general has ever been called to serve. The jury’s still out on whether he made the final cut.  

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