A veteran umpire is under an investigation by Major League Baseball after comments he made about the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.

Longtime umpire Rob Drake threatened in a tweet on Tuesday to buy an AR-15 in anticipation of the “cival war” (sic) that will erupt if Trump is impeached. The comment was tweeted and then deleted, as was Drake’s entire Twitter account, according to ESPN.

“I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020,” the now-deleted tweet with the misspelled word read.

It followed on the heels of another tweet about House Democrats’ impeachment proceedings.

“You can’t do an impeachment inquiry from the basement of Capital Hill without even a vote! What is going on in this country?” the other tweet, with another misspelling, read.

Drake reportedly took down his Twitter account Wednesday and “did not return phone and text messages,” according to ESPN.

The 50-year-old has been calling games since 1999 and worked full-time for MLB since 2010.

“Rob is a passionate individual and an outstanding umpire,” the Major League Baseball Umpires Association said in a statement. “He chose the wrong way to convey his opinion about our great country. His posting does not represent the view of the MLBUA or reflect those of the umpires we represent.”

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed that Major League Baseball was looking into Drake’s tweet, speaking to reporters at Minute Maid Park ahead of Game 2 of the World Series Wednesday night.

Not surprisingly, Drake came under heavy backlash for his defense of Trump and was slammed on social media where many apparently chose to ignore that he had committed no crime in exercising his First and Second Amendment rights.

Guys like him are why we need red flag laws.

— Debbie Does Deep State (@Exasper8ed) October 24, 2019

Not only does #MLB umpire #RobDrake not know how to spell “civil” (CIVAL); he can’t spell “Capitol” either. Clearly, he has bad judgment. I wouldn’t want this guy on the same field as me, let alone calling balls and strikes. #TrumpMustGo #Unfit #Impeach

— Citizen Bias (@CitizenBias) October 24, 2019

A “CIVAL” society would be one where this man never owns a gunhttps://t.co/HCKHJFaxiM

— Chris Reimer | Boosa Tech (@ChrisReimer) October 24, 2019

When @mlb rids itself of nationalists like Major League Umpire ROB DRAKE, that pledges violent action should Trump be impeached.
Well, that is the day I will begin watching major league baseball again. pic.twitter.com/6dCRrImDOo

— Bill THE Stable Genius ????? (@Bill06277268) October 24, 2019

@MLBUA @MLB I trust that Rob Drake will never officiate another game, and has his name added as a domestic terrorist and is added to the no-fly list.

— Bob Lehr (@hskrbob28) October 24, 2019

Other Twitter users, however, called out the critics in a reminder of what freedom of speech looks like.

Trying to figure out what law was broken by tweeting that he was going to legally purchase a legal firearm.

— RidnDrty (@nypizzarules) October 23, 2019

He never stated he was starting a war just getting prepared if one is started.

— Reddog64 (@Reddog641) October 24, 2019

I thought liberals were all about free speech?

— Derek R. (@Slayer8144) October 24, 2019

Everyone is entitled to #FreedomOfSpeech, unless the speech doesn’t conform to leftist ideology. #RobDrake is due for commitment to a re-education camp. Is anyone on our side going to support him? https://t.co/B0Sa82X1N9

— Michael R Shannon (@ReluctantUser2) October 24, 2019

His speech is protected by the 1st amendment, even if we don’t like what he said. He also has 2nd amendment rights to buy an AR-15. What he’s not protected from is the backlash from those who disagree. And that’s the problem for him and people like him…

— WORLDWIDECLYDE (@ClydeNiblack) October 24, 2019

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Frieda Powers

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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