Georgia Senator Arrested After Explosive Capitol Confrontation
Georgia State Senator Colton Moore (R-Trenton) was arrested on Wednesday after he attempted to enter the House chambers during Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of the State Address, defying a ban issued against him last year.
Video footage shows Moore being forcibly pushed to the ground as he attempted to enter the session. Moore was surrounded by members of the Georgia State Patrol before being taken into custody and transported to the Fulton County Jail, Fox 5 reports.
Moore’s arrest follows his ongoing dispute with the Georgia House over remarks he made in March 2024 about the late House Speaker David Ralston. After making disparaging comments about Ralston’s legacy, Moore was barred from entering the House chambers, a ban that has remained in place since.
During his controversial speech, Moore criticized Ralston’s political and legal career, calling him “one of the most corrupt Georgia leaders that we are ever going to see in my lifetime,” despite Ralston’s relatives being present in the Senate gallery.
Moore’s remarks were met with strong disapproval from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and Republican House Speaker Jon Burns condemned the statements as “some of the vilest that you can make about a good man.” Burns responded by ordering Moore’s exclusion from the House floor, reinforcing the ban with the support of the Georgia State Patrol.
On Wednesday, Moore made it clear that he intended to defy the House’s decision.
“This is a joint session of the General Assembly. Your House rules do not apply,” Moore declared as he attempted to enter the chamber, per the outlet.
Despite the aggressive intervention from security personnel, Moore stood firm, insisting that he had the right to attend the State of the State Address.
“I will NEVER back down,” Moore wrote on X ahead of the event. “I will ALWAYS speak the truth and represent the people of Northwest Georgia as their trusted America First Senator.”
🚨TYRANT ALERT🚨
Speaker @JonBurnsGA is attempting to ARREST and BLOCK me from representing the 53rd District at tomorrow’s State of the State joint session.
I will NEVER back down.
I will ALWAYS speak the truth and represent the people of Northwest Georgia as their trusted… pic.twitter.com/zl9R4H1EmY
— Sen. Colton Moore (@realColtonMoore) January 15, 2025
Moore described his exclusion as a violation of his rights as an elected official, referring to Speaker Burns as a “tyrant” and accusing the House of censorship.
Moore’s controversial stance is part of a larger pattern of conflict with state leadership. Last year, he was expelled from the Senate Republican caucus after criticizing his colleagues for not supporting a special session to impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, following the county’s indictment of President-elect Donald Trump.
In response to Moore’s arrest, Georgia Republican chairman Josh McKoon expressed disappointment.
“It was not only legally appropriate to admit him to today’s proceedings – it was simply the right thing to do,” McKoon said in a statement.
He further emphasized that the focus should have been on the Governor’s agenda for Georgia, not internal party disputes.
“Our focus should be on the excellent agenda being outlined by Governor Kemp today to continue to make Georgia the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family – not internal conflicts.”
At this time, the specific charges against Moore remain unclear. His arrest has sparked significant debate among political leaders and constituents about the handling of the situation and the broader implications for the state legislature’s conduct.
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