Here’s a story that should disturb anyone who cares about the integrity of our democratic institutions. In Georgia, a state senator was arrested — yes, arrested — for doing nothing more than standing up for his right to represent the people who elected him. That senator, Colton Moore, a Republican from Trenton, found himself handcuffed and hauled off to jail simply for trying to fulfill his duties during Governor Brian Kemp’s State of the State Address.
Let’s break this down.
Last year, Senator Moore was banned from setting foot on the Georgia House floor. And why was that? Did he break the law? Did he commit some heinous crime? No. His crime was speaking his opinion of truth to power — truth that some people, especially those in the establishment, didn’t want to hear. But that didn’t stop Moore from trying to do his job. On Thursday, Moore attempted to enter the House chamber, only to be stopped by a doorkeeper.
And the confrontation was caught on camera.
“This is a joint session of the General Assembly. Your House rules do not apply,” Moore told the doorkeeper. “I’m going into the chamber.”
But the doorkeeper didn’t back down. And what happened next was shocking: Moore was pushed to the ground, surrounded by members of the Georgia State Patrol, and arrested.
Arrested. For trying to represent his constituents.
Moore’s attorney has confirmed that he was taken to Fulton County Jail, though the charges against him remain unclear. But what is clear is that this entire debacle stems from comments Moore made nearly a year ago about the late House Speaker David Ralston.
Why Was Moore Really Banned?
Let’s not sugarcoat this. Back in March 2024, Moore spoke out against a resolution to name a building at the University of North Georgia after Ralston. He didn’t mince words, either.
“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 declared as some of Ralston’s family members looked on from the Senate balcony.
Strong words, no doubt. But words that were entirely within Moore’s right to say, and protected under freedom of speech. And yet, those remarks sparked outrage from politicians on both sides of the aisle. Republican House Speaker Jon Burns went so far as to call Moore’s statements “some of the vilest that you can make about a good man.” Burns then took the extraordinary step of ordering House doorkeepers to bar Moore from entering the chamber.
Standing His Ground
But Senator Moore didn’t back down. On Wednesday, the day before Governor Kemp’s address, he announced on social media that he intended to defy the ban.
“I will NEVER back down,” Moore wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I will ALWAYS speak the truth and represent the people of Northwest Georgia as their trusted America First Senator.”
He didn’t stop there. Moore called Speaker Burns a “tyrant” and accused him of censoring an elected official’s voice. And let’s be honest, that’s exactly what this is. Moore isn’t some random protester storming the chamber. He’s a duly elected representative of the people. What kind of democracy arrests a sitting state senator for trying to represent his district?
Let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time Moore has ruffled feathers. In 2023, he was booted from the Senate Republican caucus after pushing for a special session to impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her indictment of then-President Donald Trump. That move earned him the ire of establishment Republicans, but it also cemented his reputation as a fighter for the America First movement.
Republican Leaders Speak Out
The arrest of Senator Moore has sparked outrage among conservatives in Georgia and beyond. Georgia Republican Chairman Josh McKoon was quick to condemn the move, calling Moore’s treatment both inappropriate and unnecessary.
“It was not only legally appropriate to admit him to today’s proceedings — it was simply the right thing to do,” McKoon said in a statement to FOX 5. “Our focus should be on the excellent agenda being outlined by Governor Kemp today to continue to make Georgia the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family — not internal conflicts.”
And McKoon is right. This kind of petty infighting and political censorship only distracts from the real issues facing Georgia. Governor Kemp laid out an agenda aimed at improving life for families across the state, but instead of focusing on that, we’re watching political power plays unfold.
The Bigger Picture
So what’s really going on here? Well, it’s pretty simple. Colton Moore dared to challenge the status quo, and now the establishment is trying to silence him. They don’t like his brand of politics — the kind that puts America First, that holds people accountable, that refuses to bow to the elites. And so they’ve decided to make an example of him.
But here’s the thing: Moore isn’t going away. He’s made that abundantly clear. And as this story unfolds, one thing is certain: The people of Northwest Georgia — and conservatives across the country — are watching.
This isn’t just about Colton Moore. This is about whether we still live in a country where elected officials can stand up, speak their minds, and represent their constituents without fear of retaliation. Because if they can silence a sitting state senator, what’s stopping them from silencing the rest of us?
About Colton Moore
Senator Colton Moore was elected to the Georgia State Senator Colton Moore Senate District 53 Senate in 2022. Sen Moore was elected to serve Georgia’s 53rd Senate District, which includes Dade, Catoosa, Walker and Chattooga Counties along with a portion of Floyd County. Sen. Moore is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interstate Cooperation. He is also the Secretary of the Senate Committee on Transportation. He is a member of the Senate Committees on Higher Education and Natural Resources and the Environment.
Finally he is an Ex-Officio member on the Senate Committee on Government Oversight. Sen. Moore graduated from the University of Georgia in 2016, double majoring in political science and international relations. Following his Bachelor’s Degree, Colton has been working alongside his father as a dump truck driver in his families bulldozing and trucking business.
Sen. Moore also works as an auctioneer, becoming a top 20 finalist at the International Auctioneers Championship. At 24, Colton Moore became the youngest state representative from Dade County by serving in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2018 – 2022. During his time, he served on the House Committees on Human Relations and Aging, Motor Vehicles, and the State Planning and Community Affairs. January 2023 – Senate Press Office
