DOJ sues Minnesota over transgender athlete policies in girls’ sports
The Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit against Minnesota on Monday, escalating the legal fight over transgender athletes in girls’ sports.The 45-page complaint targets the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League, alleging they violate Title IX by allowing boys who identify as transgender to compete in girls’ sports and to access female locker rooms and bathrooms. DOJ argues these policies undermine equal athletic opportunities for girls and pose safety and privacy risks, noting that Minnesota receives more than $3 billion in federal funding tied to civil rights compliance. The department seeks a declaration that Minnesota’s policies violate Title IX and an injunction to prohibit transgender-identified boys from competing in female athletics. Reactions included statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi and remarks from AAG Harmeet Dhillon praising the action as defending women’s rights. Minnesota officials have defended their policies, having previously filed a preemptive lawsuit arguing that state human rights law applies and supersedes federal directives. The case is part of a broader set of actions by the Trump administration challenging transgender-athlete policies in other states, including Maine and California, and threatening to withhold federal funds from universities found noncompliant.
DOJ sues Minnesota over transgender athlete policies in girls’ sports
The Justice Department sued Minnesota on Monday, escalating a growing legal battle between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states over the participation of boys who identify as transgender in girls’ athletics.
The lawsuit alleges that the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are violating Title IX by allowing boys who identify as transgender to compete in girls’ sports and access female locker rooms and bathrooms.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the administration is drawing a hard line on the issue.
Today @TheJusticeDept sued the state of Minnesota for allowing boys to play in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms.
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…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 30, 2026
“Today the Justice Department sued the state of Minnesota for allowing boys to play in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms,” Bondi said in a statement. “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.”
The 45-page complaint, filed in federal court in Minnesota, seeks a declaration that the state is in violation of Title IX and an injunction requiring officials to bar boys who identify as transgender from competing in female athletics.
DOJ officials argue that Minnesota’s policies undermine equal athletic opportunities for girls and expose them to safety and privacy risks. The department also emphasized that the state receives more than $3 billion annually in federal education and health funding, which is contingent on compliance with federal civil rights law.
“Women should not be forced to sacrifice their hard-earned achievements, scholarship opportunities, or competitive opportunities,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said in a video posted to X.
As we close out Women’s History Month, @CivilRights is proud to announce a new lawsuit against MN for violating Title IX.
This Dept. of Justice remains committed to standing up for women, backed by strong female leadership from @AGPamBondi. I’m proud to be part of that mission! pic.twitter.com/G5bObpUkoC
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) March 30, 2026
“What better way to end Women’s History Month than by suing the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League for endangering girls by requiring them to compete against boys in sports, and allowing men to invade intimate spaces designed exclusively for women, such as locker rooms and bathrooms,” Dhillon said.
Minnesota officials have pushed back on the administration’s interpretation of Title IX. The state filed a preemptive lawsuit last year, arguing that its human rights law applies to transgender students and supersedes federal directives issued by President Donald Trump. That case remains pending as a federal judge considers the government’s motion to dismiss.
A spokesperson for the Minnesota attorney general’s office said it was reviewing the new lawsuit.
The case is the latest in a series of legal challenges brought by the Trump administration targeting state and local policies on student athletes who identify as transgender. The DOJ has already filed similar lawsuits against Maine and California and has threatened to pull federal funding from universities it says are out of compliance.
DOJ INVESTIGATES CALIFORNIA POLICY OF PLACING BIOLOGICAL MEN IN WOMEN’S PRISONS
Maine became an early flashpoint in the federal battle over transgender sports policies after a public clash between Gov. Janet Mills (D) and Trump in February last year, when Mills told the president, “We’ll see you in court,” following his warning that federal funds could be withheld over the state’s sports policies.
The DOJ sued California shortly afterward, seeking to block similar policies in the Golden State.
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