Filed Date: June 9, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case involved the Trump Administration's attempt to invalidate California laws which mandated that every student be allowed "to participate in activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity." California alleged that on June 2, 2025, the Administration sent letters to all California local education agencies requiring them to certify that they would not implement Bylaw 300.D, which the Administration claimed would violate the Equal Protection Clause. In claiming a potential violation of the Equal Protection Clause, the Administration relied on its own redefinition of the Clause to mean "biological sex" under President Trump's Executive Order 14168. California alleged that these letters exceeded the Administration's authority and violated the Spending Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act.
On June 9, 2025, the State of California filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, naming the United States of America, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney General, and the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights as defendants. California sought declaratory and injunctive relief, vacatur of the Administration's letters, and attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to Judge Charles Breyer.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Matt Petrillo (7/10/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70495597/parties/state-of-california-v-united-states-department-of-justice/
Breyer, Charles R. (California)
Benner, Jonathan R. (California)
Faer, Laura Lynne (California)
Kautz, Ezra (California)
Nugent, Edward W (California)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70495597/state-of-california-v-united-states-department-of-justice/
Last updated Aug. 23, 2025, 1:33 p.m.
State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Transgender Rights)
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 9, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The U.S. state of California.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
U.S. Department of Justice (- United States (national) -), Federal
United States of America (- United States (national) -), Federal
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Spending/Appropriations Clauses
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
LGBTQ+: