Case: State of Minnesota v. Trump

0:25-cv-01608 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: April 22, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On his first day in office, President Trump issued Executive Order 14168, entitled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." The Gender Ideology Order denies the existence of transgender people and claims that sex-based identifications are required under Title IX. Further, the order bans the use of grant funds for research or programs that endorse "gender ideology." The next week, President Trump issued an Executive Order that rei…

On his first day in office, President Trump issued Executive Order 14168, entitled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." The Gender Ideology Order denies the existence of transgender people and claims that sex-based identifications are required under Title IX. Further, the order bans the use of grant funds for research or programs that endorse "gender ideology." The next week, President Trump issued an Executive Order that reinstated a ban on transgender military service members. A second order prohibited the government from funding or promoting gender affirming care for citizens. On February 5, 2025, President Trump issued another Executive Order that rescinded funds from educational programs that allow transgender girls to compete in women's sports.

On April 22, 2025, the state of Minnesota filed this lawsuit against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Attorney General. Minnesota was represented through its chief legal officer, Attorney General Keith Ellison. The case was assigned to to Judge Jeffery M. Bryan who then recused. It was then reassigned to Judge Eric C. Tostrud. 

The complaint alleged that the executive orders impede Minnesota's ability to enforce state laws such as the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) which aims to protect Minnesotan adults and students from transphobia. Minnesota disagreed that Title IX pre-empts Minnesota laws that prohibit discrimination against transgender individuals and cited numerous cases in support of this.

The complaint alleges that in the weeks following the executive order, the Trump Administration attempted to coerce the state of Minnesota into compliance. After the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) announced it would continue to allow students to play on teams consistent with their gender identity, the Department of Education (DE) announced it would investigate the MSHSL for Title IX violations. The Department of Justice (DOJ) threatened to terminate grants to St. Paul Public Schools, Metropolitan State University, and the University of Minnesota. All of the threatened grants were for law enforcement and not athletic programs.

Minnesota claimed that the President exceeded his statutory authority by making previously committed federal funding contingent on compliance with the Executive Orders. Similarly, Minnesota argued that the President did not have the authority to reinterpret Title IX to require discrimination based on gender identity. The state brought a Tenth Amendment claim, arguing that the government was commandeering the states to implement federal policy. Finally, it argued that the DOJ Letters threatening grant termination were arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedures Act. The state request the Court declare the executive orders and the DOJ letters unlawful and that the government be enjoined from enforcing them.

The government filed a motion to dismiss which is currently pending before the court.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Jinan Abufarha (6/26/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69924631/parties/state-of-minnesota-v-trump/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Allen, Maura C (Minnesota)

Farrell, Peter J (Minnesota)

Kramer, Elizabeth C (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Donnelly, Matthew (Minnesota)

Kambli, Abhishek (Minnesota)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

0:25-cv-01608

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Complaint
35

0:25-cv-01608

Order

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69924631/state-of-minnesota-v-trump/

Last updated Nov. 8, 2025, 2:51 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Pamela Bondi, Department of Justice, Donald J Trump (filing fee $ 405, receipt number BMNDC-11836138) filed by State of Minnesota. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A, # 2 Exhibit(s) B, # 3 Exhibit(s) C, # 4 Exhibit(s) D, # 5 Exhibit(s) E, # 6 Exhibit(s) F, # 7 Exhibit(s) G, # 8 Civil Cover Sheet) (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 04/22/2025)

1 Exhibit(s) A

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2 Exhibit(s) B

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3 Exhibit(s) C

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4 Exhibit(s) D

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5 Exhibit(s) E

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6 Exhibit(s) F

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7 Exhibit(s) G

View on RECAP

8 Civil Cover Sheet

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April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

(Text-Only) CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge Susan Richard Nelson per 3rd/4th Master list, referred to Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko. Please use case number 25-cv-1608 (SRN/DLM).Notice: All Nongovernmental Corporate Parties must file a Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement. (MMP) (Entered: 04/22/2025)

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

3

Summons Issued as to Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice. (MMP) (Entered: 04/22/2025)

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

RECAP
4

ORDER OF RECUSAL. Judge Susan Richard Nelson recused. Case reassigned to Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz for all further proceedings. NOTE: the new case number is 25-cv-1608 (PJS/DLM). Please use this case number for all subsequent pleadings Signed by Judge Susan Richard Nelson on 4/23/2025.(MMP) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

RECAP
5

NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth C Kramer on behalf of State of Minnesota. (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

6

NOTICE of Appearance by Anna L Veit-Carter on behalf of State of Minnesota. (Veit-Carter, Anna) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

7

NOTICE of Appearance by Peter J Farrell on behalf of State of Minnesota. (Farrell, Peter) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

8

NOTICE of Appearance by Maura C Allen on behalf of State of Minnesota. (Allen, Maura) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

9

ORDER OF RECUSAL. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz recused. Case reassigned to Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan for all further proceedings. NOTE: the new case number is 25-cv-1608 JMB/DLM. Please use this case number for all subsequent pleadings. Signed by Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on 4/29/2025.(kt) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

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10

ORDER OF RECUSAL. Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan recused. Case reassigned to Judge Eric C. Tostrud for all further proceedings. NOTE: the new case number is 25-cv-1608 (ECT/DLM). Please use this case number for all subsequent pleadings Signed by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan on 4/29/2025.(MMP) (Entered: 04/30/2025)

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

RECAP
11

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by State of Minnesota re 1 Complaint, 3 Summons Issued (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 04/30/2025)

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

12

NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Donnelly on behalf of All Defendants. (Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 05/01/2025)

May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025

13

ORDER TO ANSWER. Defendants must file an answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's Complaint within seven days of this Order's date. Should Defendants fail to do so, Plaintiff shall promptly apply for an entry of default within 10 days of Defendants' noncompliance with this Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 5/16/2025. (JLD) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

RECAP
14

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 13 Order to Answer, (unopposed) filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice. (Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

15

PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 14 Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 13 Order to Answer, (unopposed) filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice.(Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

16

ORDER OF REASSIGNMENT OF RELATED CASES that 25-cv-2151 (DWF/SGE) has been reassigned to Judge Eric C. Tostrud and Magistrate Douglas L. Micko. Signed by Judge Eric C. Tostrud and Judge Donovan W. Frank on 5/21/2025.(MMP) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

RECAP
17

(Text-Only) ORDER. Before the Court is Defendants' Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer 14 . Finding good cause, the Court grants this motion. Defendants shall have until and including 6/26/2025 to answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 5/22/2025. (JLD) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

18

MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice. (Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

RECAP
19

NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION 18 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim : Motion Hearing set for 9/8/2025 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 7D (STP) before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. (Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

20

MEMORANDUM in Support re 18 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate

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June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

RECAP
21

MEET and CONFER STATEMENT re 18 Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice.(Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

22

PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 18 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice.(Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

23

(Text-Only) ORDER/NOTICE TO ATTORNEY. Due to the pending Motion to Dismiss 18, the Court finds there is good cause to delay the entry of a pretrial scheduling order. The Court will schedule a pretrial conference, if needed, promptly after a decision is issued on the pending motion. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 6/27/2025. (jme) (Entered: 06/27/2025)

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Order/Notice to Attorney

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

24

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply filed by State of Minnesota. (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 07/07/2025)

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

25

PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re modify briefing schedule 24 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 07/07/2025)

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

26

ORDER: Plaintiff's Unopposed Motion 24 is GRANTED. Plaintiff shall file its responsive brief on or before August 7, 2025. Defendants shall file their reply brief on or before September 2, 2025. Signed by Judge Eric C. Tostrud on 7/8/2025. (RMM) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

27

MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 18 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim filed by State of Minnesota. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Farrell, Peter) (Entered: 08/07/2025)

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

28

DECLARATION of Peter J. Farrell in Opposition to 18 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim filed by State of Minnesota. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A)(Farrell, Peter) (Entered: 08/07/2025)

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

29

REPLY re 18 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim, 27 Memorandum in Opposition to Motion filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 09/02/2025)

1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate

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Sept. 2, 2025

Sept. 2, 2025

RECAP
30

MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for U.S. Government Attorney Abhishek Kambli. (KMO) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

31

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: ORDER granting 30 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney Abhishek Kambli for Donald J. Trump and United States Department of Justice. Approved by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 9/3/2025. (KMO) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

32

(Text-Only) MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Eric C. Tostrud on 9/8/2025: Oral Arguments Motion Hearing.Court Reporter: Tim WilletteSt. Paul Courthouse, Courtroom 7DTime: 10:59 AM - 12:11 PMTotal Time: 1 Hour 12 MinutesAPPEARANCES:For Plaintiff(s): Peter Farrell, Elizabeth Kramer, Maura Allen and Anna Veit-CarterFor Defendant(s): Abhishek Kambli PROCEEDINGS: Hearing on: 18 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and Failure to State a Claim filed by United States Department of Justice, Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump. The motion was moved, argued and taken under advisement. Order to follow. (RMM) (Entered: 09/08/2025)

Sept. 8, 2025

Sept. 8, 2025

33

MOTION to Stay New Deadlines During Appropriations Lapse filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice. (Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

34

PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 33 MOTION to Stay New Deadlines During Appropriations Lapse filed by Pamela Bondi, Donald J. Trump, United States Department of Justice.(Donnelly, Matthew) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

35

ORDER granting 33 Motion to Stay. Signed by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 10/2/2025. (jme) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

Clearinghouse
36

MOTION to Supplement Record filed by State of Minnesota. (Attachments: # 1 Cover Letter, # 2 Exhibit(s) A)(Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 10/06/2025)

Oct. 6, 2025

Oct. 6, 2025

37

ORDER: Plaintiff State of Minnesota's Motion to Supplement the Record is DENIED. See Order for specifics. Signed by Judge Eric C. Tostrud on 10/8/2025. (RMM) (Entered: 10/08/2025)

Oct. 8, 2025

Oct. 8, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Education

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 22, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The State of Minnesota brought this suit.

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Donald J. Trump (- United States (national) -), Federal

Department of Justice (- United States (national) -), Federal

Attorney General of the United States (- United States (national) -), Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 0:25-cv-01608

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Classification / placement

School/University Facilities

School/University policies

Discrimination Area:

Accommodation / Leave

Sports

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Transgender

LGBTQ+:

Transgender: Sports