Georgia senator arrested at Gold Dome will be allowed back into joint sessions
ATLANTA - A Georgia state senator, who was arrested Thursday before Gov. Brian Kemp's State of the State address at the Capitol building, will now be allowed to attend future joint sessions in the Gold Dome.
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State Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, was arrested after trying to enter the House chamber at the Georgia Capitol on Jan. 16, 2025. (FOX 5)
State Sen. Colton Moore barred from House chamber
What we know:
Sen. Colton Moore was banned from entering the chamber earlier this year after making disparaging comments about the late House Speaker David Ralston.
FOX 5 cameras captured the moment on Thursday morning when Moore attempted to enter the chamber and was taken into custody by a Georgia State Patrol trooper.
Sen. Moore responds to arrest
What they're saying:
Republican state Sen. Colton Moore had harsh words for Republican House Speaker Jon Burns.
"I am compelled by law to be in attendance. The speaker had a personal grievance and sent out 18 state troopers to stop me with his doorkeeper," Moore told reporters at a news conference Friday.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones praised Moore Friday.
Jones told Senate colleagues he had talked to Speaker Burns expressing his displeasure and that Sen. Moore would no longer be barred from the House Chamber during joint sessions.
Following the incident, Speaker Burns issued a statement condemning Moore's actions:
"On Thursday, the desire of a single individual to cause a disturbance and gain notoriety in the press broke longstanding rules and precedents of decorum that each member of the General Assembly has a responsibility to uphold.
"I want to thank our Georgia State Patrol troopers who stepped in to take the necessary action required to de-escalate the situation and our doorkeepers and staff for their dedication to defending the integrity of the House Chamber.
"While the Senator’s actions were despicable and hurtful to all who knew, respected, and loved former Speaker David Ralston—we know that Speaker Ralston’s first priority was always to serve the people of our great state, and he wouldn’t want that important work to be hindered.
"For this reason, the Ralston family has expressed to their family here in the House that they desire for our Chamber to resume business as normal—with all members of the General Assembly present—for any future joint sessions, with or without the apology they and the House deserve.
"As Speaker, I would remind all those we invite to our Chamber to be respectful and comply with the rules of the House as we conduct the people’s business."
As of 1:40 p.m. Friday, Moore has not responded to the statement on social media, although he did repost a statement made by Rep. Charlice Byrd, who spoke out against the "disgraceful situation" involving Moore after the statement was issued.
Sen. Colton Moore arrested: ‘I have an obligation’
Tense moments inside the state Capital Thursday morning. Georgia State troopers arrested a state senator. Sen. Colton Moore has been banned from entering the House chamber. He was led away in handcuffs after he tried to force his way in for the governor's State of the State address.
Sen. Moore thanked his supporters and said he will pursue charges against those individuals who physically prevented him from entering the Chamber on Thursday.
Why was Sen. Moore banned?
The backstory:
In March 2024, Moore was prohibited from entering the House chambers after criticizing Ralston during a debate over naming a building at the University of North Georgia in the former speaker’s honor. Moore urged senators to reject the name change, harshly criticizing Ralston’s work as both a lawyer and a politician.
Before the State of the State address, Moore announced on social media his intent to defy the ban and attend the joint session of the Georgia General Assembly to hear Kemp’s speech. He referred to Speaker Jon Burns as a "tyrant" and claimed the ban was an act of censorship against his role as an elected official.
After being released from Fulton County Jail later that day, Moore declared his intention to attend the next joint session despite the ban.
Moore had previously been removed from the Senate Republican caucus after criticizing fellow Republicans in 2023 for not convening a special session to impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over the county's indictment of President-elect Donald Trump.