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The US Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into a small New York City coffee chain that posted online that it would have turned away a pro-Israel Democratic lawmaker had it recognized him during a weekend visit.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, announced the probe on Monday, stating that the division "has opened an investigation and will bring an enforcement action if warranted." Her statement was reported by both Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.

Coverage Comparison

Both Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post reported the investigation, with similar framing that the coffee shop's actions could be potentially illegal. The Jerusalem Post's report emphasized Dhillon's statement that federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. Al Jazeera's coverage highlighted that Dhillon called the actions "reprehensible" and "potentially illegal."

The two outlets also provided slightly different details about the coffee chain. Al Jazeera described Poetica Coffee as a "small Uzbek-inspired cafe chain" with seven branches in Brooklyn and the East Village. The Jerusalem Post identified the location as Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and noted that the coffee shop's Instagram post was no longer visible on Monday, with the account appearing to be deactivated.

Key Claims

The Incident

Representative Dan Goldman, a Democrat representing parts of New York, visited a Poetica Coffee branch on Sunday with his 7-year-old daughter. According to the Jerusalem Post, Goldman said he went there so his daughter could use the restroom and purchased a coffee to thank staff for allowing her to do so.

The coffee chain responded on social media, saying, "We see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee." The posts, which included a picture of Goldman at the Lorimer Street branch in Brooklyn, stated: "We don't serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between." The posts continued, "Too bad we didn't recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away."

Al Jazeera quoted the posts as including the line: "Do you see how it doesn't taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?"

The coffee shop said it had refunded the $9.82 Goldman spent at the branch and told him not to return.

The Investigation

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, an appointee of President Donald Trump, said on X/Twitter: "These actions are not only reprehensible, they're potentially illegal." She added that the Civil Rights Division had opened an investigation and would bring an enforcement action if warranted.

Dhillon also cited federal law prohibiting public accommodations from discriminating against patrons based on race, religion, or national origin.

Goldman's Background

Al Jazeera reported that Goldman has been highly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has denied that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The outlet also noted that Goldman received campaign donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The Jerusalem Post reported that Goldman is endorsed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, though the excerpt did not elaborate further.

Perspectives

The Justice Department

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon framed the investigation as a matter of civil rights enforcement, stating that federal law prohibits discrimination in public accommodations and that the department would take action if warranted.

Poetica Coffee

The coffee chain defended its stance through its social media posts, stating it does not serve individuals it characterizes as "racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers" and asserting it would have turned away the lawmaker had it recognized him.

Representative Dan Goldman

Goldman's account of the visit, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, was that he went to the coffee shop to allow his daughter to use the restroom and made a purchase in gratitude. The outlet did not include any further statement from Goldman regarding the coffee chain's posts or the investigation.