The case follows prior notices from federal civil rights offices warning of legal action if violations continued.

According to the Williams Institute, 27 states restrict transgender athletes from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity.

Previous executive action under the prior administration aimed to keep men out of women’s sports, signaling a policy framework the DOJ cites in the Minnesota case.

Forest Lake School Board and Minnesota officials have publicly addressed inclusivity for transgender and nonbinary students in athletics, with broad support from board members and candidates.

Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted the administration will not tolerate policies that undermine girls in athletics, while Minnesota’s attorney general criticized the suit as political and reiterated commitment to state laws.

The lawsuit cites examples from Champlin Park High School, including a transgender pitcher contributing to a 2025 state championship, to illustrate perceived competitive imbalance.

The Trump administration filed a federal lawsuit against Minnesota and its high school league, alleging that Minnesota’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports violates Title IX and federal law governing sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds.

The DOJ has linked funding implications to compliance, noting Minnesota’s estimated federal funding is about $3 billion per year as leverage in the case, and broader actions have targeted Maine and California policies as well.

Senior USA TODAY reporter Natalie Neysa Alund covers the story.

The government notes the relative scarcity of transgender athletes in female sports nationwide, citing NCAA President Charlie Baker’s testimony that fewer than 10 transgender athletes compete among 500,000 collegiate athletes.

Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the policy as unfair and dangerous, emphasizing the protection of high school girls.

Minnesota officials had not publicly commented at the time, and league representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.