Full Breakdown
Poetica Coffee Bans Pro-Israel Congressman, Prompting DOJ Civil-Rights Probe
6/25/2026, 8:12:36 PM
The Ban and Social-Media Outburst
On June 21, 2026, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) bought a $9.82 coffee at Poetica Coffee’s Williamsburg shop and used the restroom with his daughter. The chain posted a photo calling him a “genocide enabler,” refunded the purchase and warned, “Don’t ever come to Poetica.” The post was later deleted, but screenshots circulated.
Political Context
Goldman, a Jewish centrist supportive of Israel, seeks a third term in New York’s 10th District, a progressive, largely Jewish area covering lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. He faces former Comptroller Brad Lander, who has called Israel’s Gaza campaign a genocide, in the June 23 primary.
Main Actors
Key figures include Rep. Dan Goldman; challenger Brad Lander; Poetica Coffee, a Brooklyn chain with six (some say seven) locations owned by Parviz Mukhamadkulov; DOJ civil-rights chief Harmeet Dhillon; AIPAC; and local Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council.
Why It Matters
The DOJ probe tests whether a public-accommodation business may refuse service based on political views, a category not covered by federal anti-discrimination law. A ruling could affect future commerce-speech disputes and sway voter sentiment in a high-profile primary.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant Attorney General Dhillon said the shop’s conduct “is not only reprehensible, it’s potentially illegal” and that the Civil Rights Division will act if warranted. Goldman called the incident “a sad state of affairs” and praised a courteous barista. Lander urged criticism not turn coffee shops hostile. Poetica’s website claims a policy of “radical hospitality” and “unconditional dignity.”
Criticism & Opposition
Jewish Community Relations Council CEO Mark Treyger called the ban “the very definition of antisemitism.” Attorney Rory Lancman condemned the AIPAC slur. Mayor Zohran Mamdani backed Lander’s criticism and praised Goldman’s reply.
On-the-Ground Account
Goldman said the barista, wearing a hijab, allowed his daughter to use the restroom despite no purchase, was “cannot have been nicer,” and that he left a large tip after buying coffee.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the shop’s location—Williamsburg versus a Park Slope branch on Lorimer Street—and on its size, reported as six or seven sites. The Instagram account was deactivated after the post. The DOJ’s investigation focus, discrimination law or political-speech protections, remains unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ The post continued, “We don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between.” — Poetica Coffee post
- “These actions are not only reprehensible, they’re potentially illegal.” — Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General
- “I had such a nice interaction with the barista in the coffee shop,” — Dan Goldman, CNN interview
- “Assigning collective blame to Jews or perceived supporters of Israel over disagreements with Middle East policies is the very definition of antisemitism,” — Mark Treyger, Jewish Community Relations Council
- “There are plenty of ways to lobby elected officials and express outrage at the votes they’ve taken without turning coffee shops into places people don’t feel welcome.” — Brad Lander, statement
