State Senator Colton Moore Arrested After Attempting to Enter House Chamber

State Senator Colton Moore, a Republican from Trenton and former House member, was arrested Thursday after attempting to force his way into the House chamber during Governor Brian Kemp’s State of the State address. The arrest came after a ban was imposed by House Speaker Jon Burns in 2023, following Moore’s disparaging remarks about the late Speaker David Ralston while Ralston’s family was present in the gallery.

Despite the ban, Moore tried to enter the chamber, resulting in a brief altercation with House staff and Georgia State Patrol officers. Moore was arrested on charges of “willful obstruction of law enforcement officers,” a misdemeanor, and escorted to Fulton County Jail.

The day after Moore’s arrest, Speaker Burns announced he would lift the ban, allowing Moore to re-enter the House, despite the ongoing tension caused by Moore’s comments about Ralston.

Moore, a far-right figure, expressed defiance after his arrest, asserting his actions were in defense of his constituents and America First principles. He suggested possible legal action, including pressing charges against one of the officers involved in the confrontation.

As Moore attempted entry, he was blocked by House staffers, including doorkeeper Cory Mulkey and Keith Williams, general counsel for the Speaker. In the struggle that followed, Williams pushed Moore back, and the two ended up on the floor. Moore was then handcuffed and led away. The altercation occurred under a portrait of Ralston. After his arrest, Moore labeled Burns a “tyrant” and compared his leadership to the “tyranny” of James Oglethorpe, Georgia’s founder. Moore vowed, “I’ll never back down; I’ll never give up.”

The Georgia State Patrol issued a statement saying officers intervened after Moore “created a disruption,” despite multiple warnings and attempts to de-escalate. The statement noted that Moore continued to push into troopers, escalating the disturbance.

The ongoing conflict between Moore and Burns stems from Moore’s 2023 comments about Ralston, which sparked backlash within the Republican Party. Tensions date back to 2019 when Moore called for Ralston’s resignation over an investigation into his use of “legislative leave” as a defense attorney. In 2023, Moore was exiled from the Senate Republican caucus due to his controversial stance on various issues. Despite his arrest, Moore remains determined to return to the House in future sessions.

Speaker Burns had insisted Moore apologize to Ralston’s family for his “vile, disparaging, and false comments,” but with the ban lifted, further dramatic confrontations between Moore and House staff are now less likely.

The incident has drawn mixed reactions, with some Republicans supporting Moore’s defiance and others backing Burns’ decision to maintain order and decorum in the House.