You're right. The public is more interested in what's on cable TV, and whether or not they can cover this month's utility bills. But the Supreme Court might just weigh in...even the liberal justices might object.
And the military and the Secret Service might get a bit, shall we say, frisky. All the makings of a good novel.
But Obama will not provoke such a scenario in the first place. He is, at his core, a lazy and risk-adverse person. He will retire. And then he'll spend the rest of his life alternating between golfing and lecturing us on talk shows.
Frequently, it is how Presidents behave AFTER leaving office that tells you of their character.
Gerald Ford was under the perpetual shadow of the Nixon Pardon and Watergate. Still he was having to make money as I *think* he shared being the poorest (Carter) so he became the first to do paid lectures and to serve corporate positions as well as writing memoirs.
James Carter matched Ford in ending up at about $7million. He too wrote books and did paid & unpaid lectures. He also kept very active in foreign affairs which gave a degree of heartburn to his successors of both parties.
Ronald Reagan was already wealthy before entering politics so, after his Presidency, even his age and infirmities, he had a book deal but mostly gave unpaid speeches for GOP candidates.($9-11m)
George H W Bush had family wealth but followed Ford in the pattern of giving paid speeches and serving in corporate directorships. Still living with an estimated worth of $23m but now totally retired.
William Clinton, self-described by wife as leaving the White House 'dead broke', has had the most amazing financial success of any President. In spite of the purported 'impediment' of Hillary serving as US Senator (NY) [2001-2007], his post Presidency career of running the Clinton Foundation and giving speeches has made their marital fortune go from $0 to an estimated range between $60 & 150m. That range depends upon allocations between the Family and Foundation.
George W Bush has both family wealth AND pre-Presidency earnings BUT, unlike his predecessors, has been almost silent in the public arena. With a $21m worth, he remains mostly quiet except for private charities and visits. Last national visibility was at the Dallas memorial service for the 5 slain police officers.
Barrack Obama is currently estimated to have a $9million worth, but, based on past history, that will be increased by book and speaking deals. No past President has had the platform that he has to build upon. Just his Nobel Peace Prize should give him a $100k speaking fee and outside the US, who knows?