A New York City coffee shop is facing a federal investigation after staff banned a pro-Israel politician and posted a heated message on social media.
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division announced it is probing Poetica Coffee's Park Slope location in Brooklyn.
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The controversy began when Rep.
Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat who is Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel, purchased a drink at the shop over the weekend.
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Poetica Coffee posted on Facebook that it had refunded Goldman and declared he was not welcome back, calling him a "racist, fascist, homophobe, genocide enabler" and adding, "Do you see how it doesn't taste like genocide juice?"
The post remains up, indicating the shop is standing by its actions.
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Ironically, Poetica Coffee's website states that "whoever walks through the door is treated with unconditional dignity."
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division issued a warning on X, writing: "Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin.
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These actions are not only reprehensible, they're potentially illegal. The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation, and will bring an enforcement action if warranted."
