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

Background

Goldman, a Democrat, visited Poetica Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with his 7-year-old daughter on Sunday. The coffee shop said it would have turned him away due to his pro-Israel stance, citing his support for Israel as the reason.

The coffee shop’s post on Instagram stated, ‘We don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between.’ The post was no longer visible on Monday, and the Instagram account seems to have been deactivated.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said on X, ‘The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation and will bring an enforcement action if warranted.’ She added that federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.