Georgia State Senator Colton Moore was arrested on Thursday after an altercation while attempting to enter the State House chamber.
Moore was barred from the chamber last year after criticising the state Senate’s decision to honour the late former Speaker David Ralston by naming a university building after him.
During his fiery remarks last year, Moore had called Ralston “one of the most corrupt Georgia leaders”, leading to his suspension from chamber entry, according to Fox News.
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On Wednesday, Moore sent a letter to current House Speaker Jon Burns, calling the ban unconstitutional. “I will NEVER back down,” he wrote on social media platform X, sharing the letter. “I will ALWAYS speak the truth and represent the people of Northwest Georgia as their trusted America First Senator.”
On Thursday, when Moore tried to enter the chamber during a joint session, he was blocked by a doorman. The video footage showed Moore being pushed back, resulting in a scuffle. He was later seen on the ground, surrounded by state troopers, and was subsequently arrested.
According to Fox News, Moore insisted he had a constitutional right to enter the chamber, claiming, “Your House rules do not apply. I’m going into the chamber.”
Republicans have expressed disappointment including Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon who said he was “shocked” by Moore’s arrest.
This isn’t the first controversy surrounding Moore. In 2023, he was suspended by the Republican Senate Caucus for criticising colleagues who opposed his efforts to impeach Fani Willis, the prosecutor who indicted Donald Trump in an election interference case.
