Key facts
- The Justice Department is investigating Poetica Coffee for banning Rep. Daniel Goldman.
- The coffee shop cited Goldman's support for Israel as the reason for the ban.
- Federal law prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on race, religion, or national origin.
- The Civil Rights Division will take enforcement action if warranted.
The Justice Department has opened a probe into a small coffee shop chain in New York City, Poetica Coffee, 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. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that federal law prohibits public accommodations from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin, and that the Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation and will bring an enforcement action if warranted.