Trump administration sues Minnesota over transgender participation in women’s sports

MINNEAPOLIS (CN) — The Trump administration sued Minnesota and its school athletics body Monday, claiming state policies allowing transgender students to participate in sports discriminate against female student athletes.

In the 45-page federal suit, the government claims the state’s gender identity protections intentionally discriminate against biological female athletes by denying them equal athletic opportunities — violating the “very core” of Title IX.

“In open defiance of Title IX’s antidiscrimination protections, Minnesota’s policies and practices create unfair competition,deny girls equal educational opportunities and expose girls to a hostile educational environment with heightened risks of physical injury and psychological harm,” the government says in the complaint.

The Trump administration also claims Minnesota’s practices dangerously allow biological boys access to girls’ locker rooms and other private areas.

“Allowing boys to invade sensitive female-only spaces endangers girls’ privacy, dignity and safety — causing a hostile educational environment that denies girls educational opportunities,” the government says in the complaint.

The government seeks a court order forcing Minnesota schools to revert to sex-separated athletics and facilities based strictly on biological sex.

“This DOJ acknowledges biological reality and we refuse to let high school girls be subjected to this treatment. It’s not only unfair — it’s deeply inappropriate and dangerous,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a post on X.

Around half of all U.S. states have passed laws prohibiting transgender women and girls from participating in certain sports.

The Trump administration contends that, while Minnesota acknowledges the biological advantages of male athletes, the state fails to apply that logic when granting exceptions for transgender participation in female sports.

The government further contends biological advantage remains unaffected by gender identity — noting that Minnesota’s policies have little impact on male sports because transgender boys often face a biological disadvantage.

Monday’s lawsuit is part of an intensifying nationwide battle over transgender athletes, as the Trump administration moves to deny federal funding to schools that allow transgender participation in female sports.

President Donald Trump and his administration made clear their stance regarding gender identity policies at the beginning of his second term when he signed two executive orders aimed at curbing transgender participation in federal programs and schools.

Minnesota filed a lawsuit in April 2025 seeking to bar enforcement of the president’s executive orders targeting transgender students — claiming the state’s human rights act preempts them. A ruling is currently pending on the government’s motion to dismiss the case.

“Trump’s unconscionable attack on this small number of vulnerable children is bullying, plain and simple. His burning desire to destroy trans kids and punish us for helping them live and thrive isn’t just a violation of the law — it’s a violation of Minnesota values,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a press release the day the suit was filed.

Minnesota currently receives nearly $3 billion from the U.S. Department of Education. As a condition to receiving federal funding, the state agrees to comply and ensure its subrecipients comply with Title IX and Education Department regulations.

On Sept. 30, 2025, Trump administration departments notified Minnesota of its noncompliance — citing instances of “male athletes” dominating girls high school sports events, including one pitcher who only gave up one earned run across 35 innings.

Monday’s complaint includes additional examples of dominant pitching as the leading evidence of unfair competition and discrimination against female athletes.

“Despite pleas from students and parents for fairness, safety and sanity — and repeated warnings from federal officials that Minnesota is violating Title IX — Minnesota steadfastly and proudly persists in an intentionally discriminatory practice that harms vulnerable girls,” the government says in the complaint.

These instances were cited in an Eighth Circuit argument in January, where Female Athletes United claimed Minnesota’s policy was a non-neutral, intentional choice to disparage female athletes.

While Minnesota officials have yet to comment on the latest lawsuit, the state maintained its bylaws are a necessary application of Title IX during the Eighth Circuit oral argument and claimed barring transgender participation is a violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

Minnesota Solicitor General Liz Kramer defended the policy as gender-neutral, noting that it applies to all students across various activities, including fine arts and debate, and there is no evidence of intent to discriminate.

On March 21, the Senate blocked an amendment that would ban transgender athletes from playing in women’s sports despite pressure from the president.

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the Minnesota State High School League did not immediately respond to a request for comment.