On Monday, the Trump administration revealed that Minnesota has filed a lawsuit with the Department of Justice (DOJ), aiming to mandate the participation of transgender men in sports and spaces designated for women.
The Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) indicated that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota High School League (MSHSL) breached Title IX by permitting men to join women’s sports and facilities. Title IX explicitly prohibits sex discrimination for entities receiving federal funding.
In September 2025, it was concluded that both MDE and MSHSL violated Title IX by allowing male competitors in various sports programs and granting access to single-sex areas like restrooms and locker rooms. Although the Trump administration suggested a settlement to rectify the situation, Minnesota ultimately turned it down, as reported by the Department of Education.
“Despite numerous chances to comply with Title IX, Minnesota has opted to disregard it, putting the safety of women and girls at risk, denying equitable competition, and continuing to infringe upon their right to equal access to educational opportunities,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon in a statement. “As Minnesota faces a major fraud scandal exposing Governor Tim Walz’s negligence, today’s DOJ referral underscores the state’s failure to safeguard its citizens and uphold the law. The Trump administration will insist on accountability for Minnesota’s students.”
“Minnesota has breached Title IX, and we cannot overlook this,” added Department of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Allowing men to play in women’s sports denies young women the protections the law promises. After Minnesota’s refusal to comply, we have referred this matter to the DOJ for enforcement.”
The Trump administration highlighted multiple instances of men competing on women’s teams, such as a transgender man who started playing on the Champlin Women’s National Fastpitch Softball team in 2023, along with other instances involving men competing in clubs like the Alpine Ski Club and the Women’s Lacrosse Club.
“Today’s notification informs Minnesota that ED and HHS will escalate this issue to the DOJ, which could lead to Minnesota losing its federal funding from ED and HHS,” stated the ED in a press release.
