DOJ probes coffee shop chain in New York after it bars pro-Israel US lawmaker

The Justice Department said on Monday it opened a probe into a small coffee shop chain in New York City which posted online that it would have turned away pro-Israel U.S. Representative Dan Goldman had it recognized him during a weekend visit.



"The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation and will bring an enforcement action if warranted," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said on X.



"Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin," she said.



Goldman, a Democrat, visited Poetica Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, outside his district, with his 7-year-old daughter on Sunday, The New York Times reported.



"We see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee," Poetica Coffee said on Instagram.



Goldman said he went there so his daughter could use the restroom and that he bought a coffee to thank staff for allowing her to do so.



"We don't serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between," Poetica Coffee said. "Too bad we didn't recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away."