Case: United States v. State of Minnesota

0:26-cv-00273 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: Jan. 14, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On January 14, the United States Government brought suit against the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ (MDHS) Hiring Justification Policy seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. Plaintiffs alleged that the Hiring Justification Policy constituted unlawful sex-based discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Minnesota law mandates that state agencies consider state "affirmative action goals on all staffing and personnel decision." Minn. R. 3905.0100. This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Shannon G. Elkins. 

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Nick Martire (1/25/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72142517/parties/united-states-v-state-of-minnesota/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Dolin, Gregory (Minnesota)

Gieseke, Greta Alyse (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Pladson, Nicholas J (Minnesota)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

0:26-cv-00273

Complaint

United States of America v. State of Minnesota

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72142517/united-states-v-state-of-minnesota/

Last updated Feb. 1, 2026, 12:07 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against State of Minnesota filed by United States of America. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Ex. A - Attorney General Certification, # 2 Exhibit(s) Ex. B - DHS Policy, # 3 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet) (Gieseke, Greta) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

1 Exhibit(s) Ex. A - Attorney General Certification

View on PACER

2 Exhibit(s) Ex. B - DHS Policy

View on PACER

3 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Gregory Dolin on behalf of United States of America. (Dolin, Gregory) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

3

REQUEST For Three-Judge District Court by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Ex. A - Attorney General Certification)(Gieseke, Greta) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

1 Exhibit(s) Ex. A - Attorney General Certification

View on RECAP

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

RECAP
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Nicholas J Pladson on behalf of State of Minnesota. (Pladson, Nicholas) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

5

DESIGNATION of the following judges in the circuit to hear and determine this case as a three-judge district court: Hon. Raymond W. Gruender, United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit Hon. Patrick J. Schiltz, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota Hon. D. Price Marshall, Jr., United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Signed by Judge Steven M. Colloton, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. (kt) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

RECAP
6

(Text-Only) CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Chief District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, Circuit Judge Raymond W. Gruender, and District Judge Price Marshall, Jr. per 5 Designation Order. Please use case number 26-cv-273 PJS/RWG/DPM.Notice: All Nongovernmental Corporate Parties must file a Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement. (kt) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

7

Summons Issued as to State of Minnesota. (kt) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

8

(Text-Only) CLERK'S NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT. This case is assigned to Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. NOTE: the new case number is 26-cv-00273 PJS-RWG-DPM-DJF. Please use this case number for all subsequent pleadings. (LJG) (Entered: 01/17/2026)

Jan. 17, 2026

Jan. 17, 2026

9

ORDER OF RECUSAL. Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster recused. This case is reassigned to Magistrate Judge Shannon G. Elkins for all further proceedings. NOTE: the new case number is 26-cv-273 (PJS-RWG-DPM/SGE). Please use this case number for all subsequent pleadings. Signed by Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster on 1/18/2026.(MMP) (Entered: 01/18/2026)

Jan. 18, 2026

Jan. 18, 2026

10

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. State of Minnesota served on 1/23/2026, answer due 2/13/2026. (Gieseke, Greta) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 14, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff is the United States Federal Government.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 0:26-cv-00273

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Sex discrimination