A Georgia state senator who had been previously banned from the state House chamber was arrested on Thursday when he attempted to enter the chamber during the governor’s state of the state speech and engaged in a physical altercation with House employees. State Sen. Colton Moore, a Republican hailing from Trenton, is known for his staunch right-wing views and has been a controversial figure within the chamber.
The arrest marks one of several incidents involving state officials attempting to restrain lawmakers or spectators as legislative sessions commenced in 2025. Moore had drawn the ire of House Speaker Jon Burns, also a Republican, after referring to him as a “tyrant” on social media the day prior to the arrest.
Last year, Burns had banned Moore from the House chamber following comments Moore made denouncing late House Speaker David Ralston while Ralston was being honored in the presence of his relatives. Moore had accused Ralston of corruption, alleging that he had inappropriately delayed court cases during his tenure as a lawyer. Burns condemned Moore’s statements as “vile” and enforced the ban until Moore issued an apology.
Prior to his arrest, Moore asserted his right to attend a joint House-Senate session to listen to Gov. Brian Kemp inside the House chamber, maintaining that Burns lacked the legal authority to prevent him from fulfilling his constitutional duty. Despite meeting with Burns the day before, Moore failed to reach a resolution, leading to the confrontation at the chamber entrance.
During the altercation, Keith Williams, a lawyer representing the speaker’s office, pushed Moore, causing the senator to fall to the ground in his attempts to enter the chamber. Moore was subsequently handcuffed by troopers and taken to Fulton County jail, where online records indicate he was charged with misdemeanor offenses for willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.
Supporters of Moore rallied online to secure his release, with jail records stipulating a $1,000 bail amount for his freedom. This incident adds to Moore’s turbulent political history, including his expulsion from the Senate Republican caucus in September 2023 for criticizing fellow Republicans who opposed a special session to address actions taken by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis against former President Donald Trump. Gov. Kemp had dismissed Moore’s initiative as a fundraising ploy.
The arrest of Moore in the House chamber is reminiscent of previous contentious episodes within the Georgia Capitol. In 2018, 15 individuals, including Nikema Williams, a former Democratic state senator now serving in Congress, were arrested by troopers during an election-related protest. State Rep. Park Cannon was also arrested in 2021 for knocking on the governor’s office door during a speech broadcast, though charges were later dropped in both instances.
