ATLANTA — Georgia Senator Colton Moore was arrested outside the Gold Dome on Thursday following a brief confrontation with the House doorkeeper, according to 11Alive crews on the scene.
The arrest comes as Governor Brian Kemp addresses the general assembly as part of his State of the State address.
Moore, who has himself been the subject of controversy and scrutiny among his fellow legislators, posted, “The people of Georgia haven’t seen this type of Tyranny since General Oglethorpe” upon news that he would not be allowed to enter the chamber on Thursday.
According to reporting from the Associated Press, Moore was banned from the House floor after launching an attack on House Speaker David Ralston, who died in 2022, on the day he was being honored in the chambers.
Following the remarks, the AP says Lt. Gov. Burt Jones cut Moore off, telling him, “Senator, senator, not the time or place.” The top-ranking Republican senator, President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy of Macon, then took to the floor to apologize to Ralston’s family, saying he and other senators felt “sincere embarrassment” at Moore’s conduct.
Ralston’s successor, Republican House Speaker Jon Burns of Newington, eventually denounced Moore’s remarks as “some of the vilest that you can make about a good man.” After that, the AP says he ordered the House doorkeepers to keep Moore from entering.
Yet, this is not the only time Moore has drawn the ire of his fellow constituents. AP reporting also notes that Moore was kicked out of the Senate Republican caucus after launching attacks against other Republicans for not agreeing with his call for a special session. He specifically wanted to go after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for her indictment against President Donald Trump.
