The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into a Brooklyn coffee shop after it posted a hostile message about Rep. Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, following his visit to the business with his young daughter.
The case centers on Poetica Coffee, a New York City café that reportedly issued Goldman a refund after learning he had visited one of its locations. In a now-deleted social media post, the shop criticized Goldman over his support for Israel and said he should not return.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said the Justice Department is aware of what she described as “denial of service” remarks directed at Goldman. She said federal law bars public accommodations, including coffee shops, from discriminating against customers based on race, religion or national origin.
The department’s investigation does not mean the business has been found to have violated the law. It means federal officials are reviewing whether the shop’s public comments and alleged willingness to refuse service could raise civil rights concerns.
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According to the post attributed to Poetica Coffee, the shop said it would have turned Goldman away if employees had recognized him at the time. The message accused him of supporting Israel during the war in Gaza and included inflammatory language, saying the café does not serve “racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between.”
Goldman, who is Jewish and represents parts of New York City, responded by saying he was disappointed to see the message. He said the barista who interacted with him and his 7-year-old daughter had been kind, allowing his daughter to use the bathroom before he purchased coffee. Goldman said he bought a drink in return and hoped the employee still received the tip.
The shop later said the refund was the barista’s idea. A staffer also reportedly told another outlet, “No comment. We stand against genocide.”
The incident quickly drew criticism online, especially from Jewish community leaders and others who argued that political disagreements over Israel should not become a basis for refusing service. Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, said the matter should be reviewed under city and state human rights laws. He argued that customers should not be forced to prove their views on Middle East policy before being served at a public business.
The controversy also drew attention because Poetica Coffee’s own website describes the café as a welcoming place where guests are treated with dignity. The site includes language saying the door does not close on anyone and that people who enter should be welcomed.
At the center of the legal question is whether the shop’s comments reflected political expression, which is broadly protected, or whether they suggested unlawful discrimination in a place of public accommodation. Businesses can express political views, but civil rights laws limit their ability to deny service based on protected characteristics such as religion, race or national origin.
The issue is especially sensitive because debate over the Israel-Hamas war has fueled protests, boycotts and public confrontations across the United States. Supporters of Israel argue that some criticism crosses into antisemitism, while pro-Palestinian activists say opposition to Israeli government policy should not be treated as discrimination.
For now, the DOJ investigation remains in its early stages. Poetica Coffee has not been formally found liable, and it is unclear whether federal officials will pursue enforcement action.
Why It Matters
The investigation highlights the difficult line between political speech and anti-discrimination law. Businesses may hold strong political views, but public-facing establishments are still subject to civil rights protections. The case could become a high-profile test of how federal officials respond when criticism of a politician’s foreign policy position is tied to possible denial of service.
What Comes Next
The Justice Department is expected to review the shop’s public statements and any related evidence before deciding whether enforcement action is warranted. Local and state agencies could also face pressure to examine whether the incident violated human rights or public accommodation laws in New York.
A Justice Department civil rights official said federal law bars public accommodations from discriminating against patrons based on protected characteristics.
The @CivilRights is aware of the denial of service taunts to @danielsgoldman by Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn.
Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. These actions are… https://t.co/reOawYeEzU
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 22, 2026
