Major League Baseball reviewing umpire’s reported tweet threatening civil war if Trump’s impeached

MLB is conducting a review into a reported tweet from a longtime umpire that predicted a civil war would break out if President Trump is impeached, according to ESPN. 

Rob Drake, who has been a full-time MLB umpire since 2010, tweeted late Tuesday that he was ready to purchase an AR-15 in case House Democrats impeach Trump, the network reported. 

{mosads}“I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020,” Drake reportedly tweeted. 

According to the sports network, Drake added in a separate tweet: “You can’t do an impeachment inquiry from the basement of Capital Hill without even a vote! What is going on in this country?”

Drake deleted the tweets before deactivating his account, ESPN noted. 

Commissioner Rob Manfred told the network on Wednesday that the league was looking into the matter. MLB did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill. 

The Major League Baseball Umpires Association addressed the controversy on Wednesday, saying in a statement that the reported posts do “not represent the view of the MLBUA or reflect those of the umpires we represent.”

“Rob is a passionate individual and an outstanding umpire. He chose the wrong way to convey his opinion about our great country,” the umpires association said. “The MLBUA supports all of the umpires who ensure fair play in the greatest game on earth. We are a group of individuals with diverse opinions and beliefs, united in our desire to continue our excellence officiating MLB games.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced a formal impeachment inquiry into Trump last month following revelations about the White House’s interactions with Ukraine. Multiple House committees have been holding private depositions with numerous administration officials as part of the inquiry. 

Trump and GOP lawmakers have repeatedly voiced issues over the hearings being held in private.  

Drake served as an umpire in his first Major League Baseball game in 1999. He worked in the postseason in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.