Trump Administration Sues Minnesota Over Transgender Athletes in Girls Sports

The lawsuit is part of a broader fight over the rights of transgender youth in the U.S.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:18pm

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An avant-garde painting of overlapping, geometric shapes and waves of color representing the motion and ambiguity of athletes, conceptually illustrating the complex issues surrounding transgender participation in sports.A fractured, abstract depiction of the ongoing debate over transgender athletes' participation in gendered sports competitions.Minneapolis Today

The Trump administration has sued Minnesota and its school athletics governing body, alleging they are violating Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports. The Justice Department claims this unfairly undermines girls on the playing field. Minnesota has resisted the federal push to ban trans athletes from girls' sports, saying the state's human rights act supersedes federal orders.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is the latest development in an ongoing national debate over the participation of transgender athletes, particularly in women's and girls' sports. It highlights the tensions between federal and state policies, as well as the broader fight over the rights of transgender youth.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that Minnesota's Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are violating Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. The Justice Department claims Minnesota is requiring girls to compete against boys in girls' sports and allowing boys to access intimate spaces like locker rooms designated 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 the state's human rights act supersedes federal orders.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that filed the lawsuit against Minnesota, alleging violations of Title IX.

Minnesota Department of Education

The state agency named in the lawsuit for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports.

Minnesota State High School League

The state's high school athletics governing body that was also named in the lawsuit.

Pamela Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General who issued a statement criticizing Minnesota's policies as ignoring 'biological reality' and unfairly undermining girls in sports.

Minnesota Attorney General's Office

The state agency that is reviewing a response to the federal lawsuit.

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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, U.S. Attorney General

What’s next

A federal court in Minnesota will rule on whether the state is in violation of Title IX and whether it must prohibit transgender girls from competing in girls' prep sports.

The takeaway

This lawsuit is the latest salvo in the ongoing national debate over the participation of transgender athletes, particularly in women's and girls' sports. It highlights the tensions between federal and state policies, as well as the broader fight over the rights of transgender youth.