Sarah Toce
The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit against Minnesota, alleging the state is violating Title IX by allowing transgender girls to compete in girls sports, escalating a national legal battle over transgender athlete participation in school athletics.
The U.S. Department of Justice argues that Minnesota’s policies require “girls to compete against boys” in female-designated sports and permit access to girls locker rooms and bathrooms, actions the administration says conflict with federal law.
“The Trump Administration does not tolerate flawed state policies that ignore biological reality and unfairly undermine girls on the playing field,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “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.”
The lawsuit seeks a court order to block transgender athletes from participating in girls sports in Minnesota and could put billions of dollars in federal education funding at risk if the state is found out of compliance.
Minnesota officials have defended their approach, maintaining that state law protects transgender students from discrimination and that inclusive policies are consistent with their interpretation of Title IX. The state has previously challenged federal efforts to force policy changes, setting up a broader legal conflict between state and federal authority.
The case is part of a wider push by the Trump administration to restrict transgender participation in women’s and girls sports nationwide. Similar legal actions and investigations have targeted other states, including California and Maine, as federal officials seek to enforce a narrower definition of sex under Title IX.
“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 Trump Administration will always fight for the safety and civil rights of women and girls,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Minnesota’s policies allow men to dominate women’s sports, denying female athletes fair competition and eroding their right to equal access in educational programs and activities. Thank you to Attorney General Bondi for bringing this fight to the courts to hold Minnesota accountable.”
The issue has become a flashpoint in national debates over civil rights, fairness in athletics and the interpretation of federal anti-discrimination law. Supporters of the administration’s position argue the policies are necessary to ensure equal opportunities and competitive balance for female athletes, while critics say such measures discriminate against transgender youth and limit their access to school activities.
The lawsuit follows earlier federal actions, including a 2025 executive order directing agencies to bar transgender girls and women from participating in female sports categories at federally funded institutions.
Legal experts say the outcome of the Minnesota case could have nationwide implications, particularly as courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, weigh similar disputes over transgender athlete participation and the scope of Title IX protections.
No immediate timeline for a court decision has been announced.
