Trump Administration Sues Minnesota Over Transgender Athletes in Girls Sports

Lawsuit alleges state's policies violate federal Title IX law

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:36pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of a basketball player's form repeated and fragmented in overlapping geometric shapes, conveying the motion and energy of the sport amidst a contentious political debate.A legal battle over transgender athletes' rights in girls' sports intensifies, exposing deep divisions in the ongoing national debate.Minneapolis Today

The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota and its state high school athletics governing body, alleging that the state's policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports violate federal Title IX law. The Justice Department claims Minnesota's policies unfairly undermine girls' opportunities in school sports.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is part of a broader national debate over the rights of transgender youth, with more than two dozen states passing laws restricting transgender athletes from participating in certain sports. The outcome of this case could set a precedent and impact policies in other states.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that Minnesota's Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are in violation of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. The Justice Department claims Minnesota's policies require 'girls to compete against boys' and 'allow boys to invade intimate spaces designated exclusively for girls'.

  • The Trump administration filed the lawsuit on March 30, 2026.
  • Minnesota filed a preemptive lawsuit against the federal government in April 2025, arguing its policies comply with Title IX.

The players

Pamela Bondi

Attorney General who announced the lawsuit on behalf of the Trump administration.

Minnesota Department of Education

State agency named in the lawsuit for its policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports.

Minnesota State High School League

State athletics governing body named in the lawsuit for its policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports.

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What they’re saying

“The Trump Administration does not tolerate flawed state policies that ignore biological reality and unfairly undermine girls on the playing field.”

— Pamela Bondi, Attorney General

What’s next

A federal court in Minnesota will rule on whether the state's policies violate Title IX and whether transgender girls should be prohibited from competing in girls' prep sports.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing national debate over transgender rights, particularly in the context of school sports. The outcome could set an important precedent and impact policies in other states that have enacted or are considering similar restrictions on transgender athletes.