Federal agencies have escalated a dispute with Minnesota by formally referring the state to the Department of Justice over alleged civil rights violations tied to its athletics policies—an action now widely framed as Federal Officials Send Minnesota to DOJ Over Policy Allowing Boys in Girls’ Sports.
The referral was issued jointly by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after both agencies concluded that Minnesota failed to comply with Title IX, the federal law that bars sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding. According to officials, the determination was finalized in September following months of investigation.
In a statement released Monday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon sharply criticized Minnesota’s leadership, accusing state authorities of refusing to bring their policies into line with federal requirements.
“Despite repeated opportunities to comply with Title IX, Minnesota has chosen defiance—continuing to jeopardize the safety of women and girls, deny them fair competition, and erode their right to equal access in educational programs and activities,” McMahon said. She added that the Trump administration would continue pressing for accountability on behalf of students in the state.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. echoed that stance, stressing that the federal government would not ignore what he described as violations of protections guaranteed under the law. “When states allow males to compete in girls’ sports, they deny young women and girls the protections the law guarantees,” Kennedy said.
The move comes amid growing friction between Minnesota officials and the Trump administration, which has recently taken several executive actions connected to concerns about the misuse of federal funds within the state. According to the agencies’ joint notice, the referral to the DOJ could ultimately lead to legal proceedings and, potentially, the loss of federal education and health funding if Minnesota is found noncompliant.
Federal investigators last year concluded that both the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League violated Title IX by permitting biological males to compete in girls’ athletic programs. The findings also cited policies allowing access to female-only bathrooms and locker rooms.
Officials said they offered the state a proposed resolution agreement to settle the matter voluntarily. However, Minnesota agencies initially did not respond and later declined to accept the agreement or enter negotiations, according to McMahon.
The investigations, which began in June, detailed specific cases, including a biological male who has competed on Champlin High School’s girls’ varsity fastpitch softball team since 2023. The team reportedly recorded winning seasons against all-girl opponents during that period. Investigators also identified male athletes participating in girls’ lacrosse, volleyball, track and field, and alpine and Nordic skiing in other districts.
Minnesota’s current guidance, outlined in a toolkit published by the state’s Department of Education, states 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.” Similarly, the Minnesota State High School League maintains that it allows participation for all students regardless of gender identity or expression, emphasizing nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
The issue is part of a broader national debate. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments from officials in West Virginia and Idaho seeking to uphold state laws that bar males from competing in female sports—a sign that the legal questions surrounding Title IX and athletics are far from settled.
