The Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into a Brooklyn coffee shop that publicly announced it would have refused service to Representative Dan Goldman over his support for Israel.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon confirmed that federal investigators are examining the conduct of Poetica Coffee Shop following a social media post in which the establishment stated it had refunded Goldman’s purchase and declared he was unwelcome at their business.
The investigation centers on whether the coffee shop’s actions constitute a violation of federal anti-discrimination laws, which prohibit public accommodations from denying service based on race, religion, or national origin. Dhillon indicated that enforcement action remains possible pending the outcome of the investigation.
The incident occurred when Goldman visited the Brooklyn establishment with his seven-year-old daughter. After learning of the congressman’s patronage, the coffee shop posted a statement on Facebook that has since been removed. The post referenced Goldman’s support for Israel and accused him of enabling genocide, stating the business does not serve those they categorize as racists, fascists, or genocide enablers.
“Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee,” the deleted post read. “Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money. Don’t ever come to Poetica.”
Goldman responded with measured disappointment, noting the courtesy shown by the staff member who served him. “The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me—allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything,” Goldman stated. “I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved.”
The coffee shop subsequently claimed the refund was the barista’s initiative, though this assertion could not be independently verified.
This case arrives at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding political discrimination in public accommodations. The legal questions at hand are straightforward: federal law has long established that businesses open to the public cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics. The Justice Department’s investigation will determine whether the coffee shop’s actions crossed that legal threshold.
The incident also raises broader questions about the boundaries of political expression in commercial settings and whether businesses may legally refuse service based on a customer’s political positions or advocacy.
Goldman, who represents New York’s 10th Congressional District, faces a Democratic primary challenge. The coffee shop’s post referenced this electoral contest, suggesting political motivations behind their public statement.
As the investigation proceeds, legal experts will be watching closely to see how the Justice Department applies civil rights protections in this politically charged case. The outcome could have implications for how businesses navigate the intersection of political expression and federal anti-discrimination law.
The Justice Department has not announced a timeline for completing its investigation.
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