A Georgia state senator was taken into custody on Thursday when he attempted to enter the House chamber for the governor’s state address, resulting in a physical confrontation with House staff.
State Senator Colton Moore, a Republican hailing from Trenton, is known as one of the more conservative members of the legislature. He suggested a forthcoming confrontation when he labeled House Speaker Jon Burns, also a Republican, a “tyrant” in a social media post on Wednesday.
The incident marks one of several recent instances where state officials have sought to limit access or control the behavior of lawmakers and spectators as the 2025 legislative sessions approach.
Last year, Speaker Burns enforced a ban preventing Moore from entering the House chamber after Moore publicly criticized the late House Speaker David Ralston on a day designated for honoring him, in front of Ralston’s family. Moore accused Ralston of being “one of the most corrupt Georgia leaders we’ll ever see,” citing allegations related to Ralston’s handling of court cases during his tenure as a lawyer. Burns condemned Moore’s comments as “vile” and stated that the ban would remain in effect until Moore expressed remorse for his statements.
Prior to the arrest, Moore asserted to reporters that Burns did not have the authority to bar him from participating in a joint session of the House and Senate to listen to Governor Brian Kemp’s address. He mentioned having met with Burns the day before, but claimed they could not reach an agreement.
“You cannot impede a General Assembly session,” Moore declared while attempting to maneuver past House personnel stationed at the entryway. “I have a constitutional obligation to attend.”
As Moore tried to forcefully enter, Keith Williams, a lawyer for the speaker’s office, pushed him, leading Moore to fall. Subsequently, law enforcement officers placed Moore in handcuffs and escorted him to the Fulton County jail. Online records indicate he was charged with a misdemeanor offense for willful obstruction of law enforcement.
Supporters took to social media to advocate for Moore’s release, noting that he needed to post a $1,000 bail for his release.
Moore faced expulsion from the Senate Republican caucus in September 2023 due to attacking fellow Republican lawmakers who declined to convene a special session aimed at addressing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for indicting former President Donald Trump. Governor Kemp dismissed Moore’s actions, describing them as a “grifter scam” intended to boost his campaign fundraising efforts.
In 2018, police arrested 15 individuals, including Nikema Williams, who was then a Democratic state senator and is currently a member of Congress, during an election-related protest at the Georgia Capitol. State Representative Park Cannon was arrested in 2021 for knocking on the door of the governor’s office while he delivered a speech, but in both instances, charges were ultimately dropped.
