Coffee Shop Bans Congressman Goldman, Sparking Political Firestorm

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) called the incident a reflection of a "sad state of affairs" after a Brooklyn coffee shop banned him via social media.

The confrontation unfolded in the midst of a contentious Democratic primary campaign, with the Israel-Gaza war as the central issue.

The Incident

Poetica Coffee posted a photo of Goldman alongside a receipt of a refund, with a caption accusing him of receiving money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and referencing "genocide juice." The post has since been deleted, and the shop's Instagram page was taken down.

Goldman, however, described a very different in-person encounter. "I had such a nice interaction with the barista," he said. He reported that he bought coffee and left a large tip—only to learn of the ban later, online.

Reactions and Fallout

Goldman framed the incident as a troubling symptom of the political climate: "It's a reflection, I think, of a sad state of affairs that without knowing me, we could have had such a nice interaction."

The congressman also clarified his stance, noting that he does not support everything the Israeli government does. He accused his primary challenger, former city comptroller Brad Lander, of using AIPAC as a "dog whistle."

Lander denounced the coffee shop's post, stating: "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."

Federal Investigation Underway

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has announced an investigation into the coffee shop. However, Goldman expressed a preference that federal resources be directed elsewhere, specifically toward antisemitism cases involving individuals who lack his platform and public visibility.

Lander, who has criticized Goldman's support from AIPAC and referred to Israel's military operation in Gaza as a "genocide," faces Goldman in a closely watched Democratic primary.