DOJ Launches Probe Into Giants Pride Night Controversy As Feds Rip MLB ‘Double Standard’

The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Major League Baseball and the San Francisco Giants following controversy over players displaying Bible verses on their hats during Pride Night, with federal officials accusing the league of potentially applying a “double standard” against religious expression.

Harmeet Dhillon announced Thursday that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would investigate the matter, sending a sharply worded letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

“The Civil Rights Act prohibits MLB and its franchises from unreasonably burdening the rights of players with religious objections to serving as the League’s vehicle for pro-Pride messages,” Dhillon wrote.

The controversy erupted after Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote “Gen 9:12-16” on their rainbow-themed Pride Night caps during a game against the Chicago Cubs.

The Bible passage references God’s covenant with Noah and describes the rainbow as a sign of that promise.

Some LGBTQ advocates in San Francisco criticized the players’ displays, while MLB said the players received verbal warnings that were unrelated to the religious nature of the message.

“To be clear, this routine verbal warning … had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message,” MLB said in a statement.

The league noted that its uniform policy prohibits players from writing messages on apparel and equipment and said similar warnings have been issued in the past for messages such as “Dad” and “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Dhillon rejected that explanation, arguing that MLB has previously allowed players to wear “Black Lives Matter” patches on uniforms.

“Employers may not use facially neutral policies as a ‘pretext for discrimination,’” she wrote, citing Supreme Court precedent.

“The Trump Administration is committed to combatting religious discrimination,” Dhillon added. “The Department of Justice will use all available means to hold employers accountable for violating the religious rights of their employees.”

The controversy has also drawn criticism from Republicans, including Josh Hawley, who has called for answers from the league.

Meanwhile, Daniel Lurie said he was “really upset and disappointed” by the players’ actions.

Commissioner Manfred has not publicly commented on the political backlash, and MLB has declined further comment as the federal investigation moves forward.