WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice sued Minnesota on Monday for discriminating against female athletes by letting biological males compete against them and enter sex-segregated spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms.
The suit, filed in Minnesota federal court, alleges that the state’s Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League have been implementing policies and practices that ignored “undeniable physiological differences between male and female athletes” in violation of Title IX.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon noted in the 45-page civil filing that the state also committed the violations while taking more than $3 billion in federal funding per year and agreeing to uphold nondiscriminatory policies.
“The Justice Department cannot ignore when a state brazenly defies federal antidiscrimination law,” Dhillon added in a statement. “In service of radical gender ideology, Minnesota’s actions violate Title IX and deny female athletes their hard-earned trophies, records, dignity, and safety.”
Dhillon asked the court for a permanent injunction to halt the state’s practices and force them to compensate female athletes who have lost out on opportunities, as well as submit compliance reports for the next five years.
The DOJ is also seeking an unspecified amount in damages. The suit claims Minnesota ran afoul of both Title IX and its “contractual assurances” with the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.
“This Department of Justice is proud to partner with HHS and the Department of Education to protect our girls in Minnesota and across the country,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
At least $2.98 billion in taxpayer funding flows to Minnesota every year from the Education Department. Another $42.6 million comes from HHS.
“We will not allow girls to be denied equal opportunity and basic privacy,” affirmed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a statement.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon added: “Minnesota’s policies allow men to dominate women’s sports, denying female athletes fair competition and eroding their right to equal access in educational programs and activities.”
The Education Department got the DOJ involved in a probe of Title IX violations at MSHSL last year after a transgender pitcher dominated female peers in record-setting 2024 season that culminated in a win at the girls’ high school softball state championship.
HHS had also been reviewing whether Minnesota’s policies were in line with Title IX.
Since then, “multiple attempts” were made to obtain “voluntary compliance” — but failed, the suit claimed.
Minnesota’s education policies had also “incorrectly” stated that “Title IX requires schools provide transgender students with the right to participate in such activities, including athletics, in a manner consistent with their gender identity.”
Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said last year “it’s a mistake” for the Democratic Party to fold under pressure over the controversy.
“Here’s the thing,” Walz told the Independent. “we need to tell people your cost of eggs, your health care being denied, your homeowner’s insurance, your lack of getting warning on tornadoes coming has nothing to do with someone’s gender.”
Reps for Minnesota’s Department of Education and State High School League did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
