Georgia Sen. Colton Moore arrested trying to enter state House chamber after banishment

Moore was banned from the House chambers after making controversial remarks about the late House Speaker David Ralston.
Moore was released on a $1,000 bond and stated he would be back in the legislature the following day.
House Speaker Jon Burns called the situation “unfortunate” and stated that Moore refused to cooperate with law enforcement.

A state senator in Georgia was arrested Thursday at the state capitol after he allegedly resisted an order that banned him from entering the state House chambers.

Republican Sen. Colton Moore, was trying to enter the chambers during Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of the State Address, according to multiple media reports including FOX 5. In a video posted on social media following his arrest by Georgia State Police, the senator said he was reporting from a local hospital after taking a “bit of a beating on his hand.”

“Thank you to all the patriots who have shown their support today. I have a Constitutional duty and will be back in the legislature tomorrow,” Moore said.

According to Fulton County Court Records, Moore was taken to the Fulton County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of willful obstruction of law enforcement officers. Records also show that Moore posted a $1,000 bond.

Why was Moore banned from House chambers?

Moore had been banned from the state House chambers after making comments in March about the late House Speaker David Ralston, according to FOX 5. The comments came during a debate in the Georgia State Senate to name a building at the University of North Georgia in Ralston’s memory.

“This body is about to memorialize, in my opinion, one of the most corrupt Georgia leaders that we are ever going to see in my lifetime,” Moore said.

Following the comments, which were made in front of some of Ralston’s relatives, Republican House Speaker Jon Burns ordered Moore to be barred from entering the state House, FOX 5 said. On Wednesday, Moore posted a letter on social media, calling the banishment by Burns an impermissible censorship of his voice.

“I will NEVER back down. I will ALWAYS speak the truth and represent the people of Northwest Georgia as their trusted America First Senator. I will be there tomorrow as obligated under Georgia law,” Moore said.

What other Georgia politicians are saying

Following the incident, Burns posted a statement on social media.

“The situation outside of the House Chamber this morning was incredibly unfortunate. The Senator refused to cooperate with doorkeepers and law enforcement, and created a dangerous situation when he chose to use force against our law enforcement officers, dedicated doorkeepers and House staff,” he said.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that “all elected 56 senators and 180 representatives deserve the opportunity to fulfill their responsibility to attend joint sessions of the General Assembly.”

He continued: “There is real work to be done this session and the focus should be on delivering for the people of Georgia instead of personal grievances and egos.”