Federal officials are investigating a Brooklyn coffee shop after the store said Rep. Dan Goldman, a New York congressman, was not welcome following a visit with his daughter.<\/p>\n
In a social media post that has now apparenty been deleted, Poetica Coffee slammed the Jewish congressman \u2014 who’s currently up for re-election \u2014 over his support for Israel.<\/p>\n
The post, which includes a photo of Goldman standing at the register, read: \u201cWe see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between. Too bad we didn\u2019t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coffee shop then went on to say that it had issued a refund to the congressman, and told him to never come to the store.<\/p>\n
Goldman, in the comments, said that the barista “could not have been nicer” to him and his 7-year-old daughter, who he said had to use the restroom.<\/p>\n
“I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved.”<\/p>\n
In response to the post, Harmeet Dillon, the DOJ Assistant Attorney General to the Civil Rights division, wrote that the agency opened an investigation into the shop.<\/p>\n
“Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin,” she said in a post.<\/p>\n
“These actions are not only reprehensible, they\u2019re potentially illegal. The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation, and will bring an enforcement action if warranted.”<\/p>\n
Poetica Coffee was unable to be reached for comment by USA TODAY Network.<\/p>\n
Goldman is currently up against Brad Lander, a former city comptroller and mayoral candidate who has the backing of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.<\/p>\n