Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is refusing to say whether he plans to evaluate the constitutionally questionable imprisonment of a GOP state lawmaker during previous week’s Condition of the State address, The Federalist has learned.
The incident in question came to fruition next Thursday, when Sen. Colton Moore attempted to enter the House of Representatives to listen to Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of the State address to mutual users of the Georgia General Assembly. The GOP senator was formerly banished from the lower room last year by Republican Speaker Jon Burns after criticizing the apparent corruption of soon Speaker David Ralston, Burns ’ father.
Burns sent a notice to Moore on Jan. 14, notifying him that he is “not allowed to enter the House Chamber ” to attend Kemp’s Thursday address unless he “deliver[s ] a sincere apology to the family, extended family, and loved ones of former Speaker David Ralston from the floor of the Senate ” before then. In his Jan. 15 answer, Moore called the speaker’s see “unconstitutional, illegal, and the most terrible part of communications issued by a senator in the history of the State of Georgia, ” and threatened to take legal actions against Burns and “any people found to be inappropriately interfering or otherwise obstructing any Senator or Representative from discharging their responsibilities. ”
The legislator cited the Georgia Constitution, which states, “The members of both houses shall be free from imprisonment during periods of the General Assembly, or council meetings there, and in going thereto or returning therein, except for treason, criminal, or violation of the peace. No member may be liable to reply in any other place for everything spoken in either home or in any council meeting of either home. ”
Upon trying to enter the House for Kemp’s notes, Moore was detained by Georgia State Patrol officials and was eventually taken to Fulton County Jail.
Following the incident, Burns defended having Moore arrested and accused the Republican senator of “creat[ing ] a dangerous situation ” by trying to enter the lower chamber. The speaker evidently reversed program following a flood of people reaction, announcing on Friday he lifted his ban prohibiting Moore from entering the House.
Despite lingering questions about the legality of Burns ’ actions, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, is remaining mum on if he’s probing the constitutionality of Moore’s arrest. When pressed on whether he is now investigating or planning to check the senator’s imprisonment and the events leading up to it, Carr’s company did not respond to The Federalist’s request for comment.
The state prosecutor general’s press release section and Carr’s personal and official X records are, at the time of publication, even void of any mention of Moore’s imprisonment.
Carr— who is running to get Georgia’s 2026 Democratic gubernatorial candidate — did, nevertheless, post on his formal X account congratulating Kemp “on a strong State of the State focused on important issues. ”
“Proud to stand with him in the fight against gangs & human trafficking—together, we’re making Georgia safer & stronger! ” Carr wrote on Thursday.
Moore responded to Carr’s post on X the following day. The Republican senator wrote, “ I did n’t get to see [ Kemp’s address]. Too busy living in a STATE OF TYRANNY. Stopped by your office the day before to get an emergency legal opinion of @JonBurnsGA abuse of power. Still waiting to hear back…. ”
Moore’s office did not respond to The Federalist’s request for comment on whether Carr or his office has contacted the senator regarding his arrest and any potential investigation into the matter. The senator’s team also did not respond when asked whether Moore intends to take any form of legal action against Burns and the other individuals involved in his arrest.
Last week’s controversy is n’t the first instance in which Moore has clashed with members of the state’s GOP leadership.
The senator was notably kicked out of the Georgia Senate Republican Caucus in late 2023 after he called on Kemp to convene a special session of the legislature to investigate Fulton County DA Fani Willis ’ lawfare against President Donald Trump and more than a dozen others regarding their actions in the 2020 election. As The Federalist’s Tristan Justice recently reported, the Georgia Court of Appeals removed Willis and her office from the case last month “after a series of scandals exposed gross impropriety. ”
UPDATE
Following publication, Moore spokesman Chadwick Dolgos told The Federalist that neither Carr nor his office have contacted Moore to inquire about his arrest. Dolgos noted that Moore and his team “physically met with [Carr’s ] office the day before [ Kemp’s address ] to advise them of the unconstitutional situation and seek an emergency opinion by 9 a. m. the following day, ” but “did not receive a response. ”
The “AG’s office has not made any further contact, ” Dolgos added.
Moore’s spokesman said the senator is facing one charge of obstruction of justice, but that authorities “have not yet indicated that the case will be dropped ” in light of Burns ’ repeal of Moore’s banishment from the House. Dolgos noted that the senator and his team are currently “focused on getting the criminal case dismissed ” and will explore “all other options ” afterwards.
“Once this [process ] is completed, we will evaluate all other options but not until then. Our goal is vindicating the voice of the People of the Northwest, ” Dolgos said.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClear Health, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood