Last Updated on January 17, 2025
Republican Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones stood up for populist state senator Colton Moore and scolded RINO House Speaker Jon Burns after Moore was arrested for trying to attend Governor Brian Kemp’s State of the State address on Thursday.
Colton Moore faced suspension from the Georgia House chamber after criticizing ex-House Speaker David Ralston for being “corrupt” and pushing for an investigation into anti-Trump district attorney Fanni Willis in Fulton County. The Republican establishment, known as RINOs, aimed to shield Willis and her anti-Trump activities that almost resulted in former President Donald J. Trump being treated like a political prisoner in the United States, turning Moore into an adversary.
Moore was barred from the House chamber during Governor Kemp’s speech on Thursday, and when he attempted to enter, he was forcibly restrained, arrested, and taken into custody at Fulton County Jail, highlighting the deep divisions within the Georgia political landscape.
But Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones had Colton Moore’s back in Jones’ speech to legislators on Friday.
Lieutenant Governor Jones expressed concerns about the incident involving Moore, emphasizing that it was a disgrace for the entire General Assembly, regardless of individual involvement, and stressed the importance of preventing such occurrences in the future. The altercation underscored the underlying tensions and power struggles within the political corridors of Georgia.
“The Senator from the 53rd showed a lot of restraint yesterday in his efforts to really do what he felt like was his obligation as an elected official, and I respect that. But I will tell you this, my obligation is to the 56 senators here in this room. And my obligation is to always stand up for what you are about and what you represent as a senator,” Burt Jones said to applause.
“During a joint session yesterday, that was an event that affected the people of Georgia, and the people who were elected to represent should be there and present. And I can tell you this, moving forward: you have my word that this will not happen again under my watch. Because I will make sure that every senator has a voice in this building,” Jones said to another round of applause.
Jones said that he hopes the Speaker will respect the Senate chamber. He hopes that the Speaker will deal with issues in the House while he, Jones, deals with issues in the Senate, because “that’s the way it should be.” Hopefully, Burt Jones will not take any more guff from Jon Burns.
Colton Moore’s showdown with law enforcement outside the Georgia House chamber went viral:
Colton Moore updated his fans and supporters after the melee: