DOJ Sues Minnesota Over Transgender Athlete Policies In School Sports

ST. PAUL, MN — The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday against the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League, alleging the state’s policies on transgender athletes violate federal civil rights law.

The complaint argues that current policies allowing students to participate in sports consistent with their "gender identity" conflict with Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Federal officials said Minnesota’s approach allows transgender girls to compete in girls' sports and access locker rooms and bathrooms designated for female students, which the lawsuit argues undermines equal opportunities for girls.

"The Trump Administration does not tolerate flawed state policies that ignore biological reality and unfairly undermine girls on the playing field," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

"This Department of Justice is proud to partner with HHS and the Department of Education to protect our girls in Minnesota and across the country."

"We will not allow girls to be denied equal opportunity and basic privacy," said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "Title IX is clear: schools that accept federal funding must protect the rights, safety, and dignity of female students."

The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages.

According to the filing, Minnesota’s policies stem from a combination of state law, education department guidance, and athletic league rules.

The state’s Human Rights Act includes protections for gender identity, while guidance from the Department of Education and policies from the Minnesota State High School League allow students to participate in athletics consistent with their gender identity.

The Justice Department argues those policies conflict with Title IX’s requirement to ensure equal athletic opportunities based on sex.

The complaint also includes examples of transgender athletes competing in Minnesota girls sports, citing a high school softball player whose performance and statistics were used to argue competitive advantage.

The lawsuit follows months of federal scrutiny. According to the filing, the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services notified Minnesota officials in 2025 that the state was out of compliance with Title IX and later referred the matter to the Justice Department after attempts to reach voluntary compliance failed.

Minnesota’s education system receives billions of dollars in federal funding, which the lawsuit says is contingent on complying with Title IX requirements.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told the Star Tribune that it is "astonishing that any president would try to target, shame, and harass children just trying to be themselves, let alone a president with so many actual problems to address."