Trump administration refers Minnesota to DOJ over men competing in women’s sports
WASHINGTON, DC: The Trump administration on Monday, Jan 26, notified Minnesota state officials that it is referring the state’s education and high school sports authorities to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for enforcement action, saying Minnesota has violated federal anti-discrimination law by permitting male athletes to participate in girls’ sports and access female-only facilities.
The referral comes after requests from the US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services that the state change its policies went unheeded.
Non-compliance with Title IX
The notification to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) said both entities are in non-compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities.
The Trump administration proposed a resolution agreement to resolve the violations, which Minnesota ultimately declined, according to the Department of Education.
🚨BREAKING: ED & @HHSgov have referred Minnesota to @TheJusticeDept for Title IX enforcement for the state’s continued refusal to protect women’s sports.
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) January 26, 2026
Minnesota may put ideology first, but the Trump Administration will uphold the law for students.
“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,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
“As Minnesota reels from a massive fraud scandal exposing Governor Tim Walz’s dereliction of duty, today’s referral to DOJ underscores the state’s ongoing failure to safeguard its citizens and uphold the rule of law. The Trump Administration will not stop until accountability is delivered for Minnesota’s students.”
“Minnesota is violating Title IX, and we will not look the other way,” HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr added.
🚨Another state championship hijacked by a team with a boy.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 6, 2025
"Marissa" Rothenberger pitched 7 shutout innings to lead Champlin Park to a 6-0 win in the Minnesota Girls’ State Softball Championship.
You're a shameful coward, @GovTimWalz.
pic.twitter.com/kr63Pi4lzj
Federal agencies push compliance reviews
The DOJ referral comes at a time when federal agencies are stepping up efforts to enforce Title IX across the country.
They’ve launched compliance reviews and even opened investigations into how other states handle transgender athletes and access to single-sex facilities.
Hi, Minnesota- following federal law is not optional. This isn’t hard. https://t.co/Vc56pLYnwj pic.twitter.com/EXhbCdZknM
— Leigh Ann O'Neill (@LaLONeill) January 26, 2026
Some states have tried to sidestep federal enforcement by changing their own rules.
Others have pushed back and challenged the federal government’s take on these issues.
“Today’s letter notifies Minnesota that ED and HHS will refer the matter to DOJ for proceedings, which could result in termination of Minnesota’s Federal funding from ED and HHS,” ED said in a press release.
JUST IN: President Trump signs executive order banning men from competing in women’s sports.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 5, 2025
This is Trump's fourth executive order involving transgender people since taking office.
"With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over," Trump said, commenting on his… pic.twitter.com/mSVQFj6sFD
The Trump administration pointed to several specific incidents of males competing on female teams, including a trans-identifying male playing on the Champlin girls’ varsity fastpitch softball team since 2023, and males competing on the girls’ Alpine ski team, the girls’ Nordic ski team, the girls’ lacrosse team, the girls’ track and field team, and the girls’ volleyball team over the past several years.
