Case: United States v. Minnesota Department of Education

26-cv-02078 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: March 30, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On March 30, 2026, the United States of America filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota against the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League. The complaint alleged that defendants require girls to compete against boys in athletic competitions designated exclusively for girls and share intimate spaces such as multi-person locker rooms and bathrooms with boys. The United States claimed this occurs when boys assert they are girls…

On March 30, 2026, the United States of America filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota against the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League. The complaint alleged that defendants require girls to compete against boys in athletic competitions designated exclusively for girls and share intimate spaces such as multi-person locker rooms and bathrooms with boys. The United States claimed this occurs when boys assert they are girls based on "gender identity," despite physiological differences between males and females that provide boys with inherent advantages in strength, speed, and physicality. Specific examples included an anonymous 'Student A,' a male student competing on the Champlin Park High School girls' varsity fastpitch softball team since 2023, who has set records and won championships while competing against all-girl teams, and 'Student B,' a male student competing on girls' track and field and cross country teams in southeast Minnesota. The complaint brought two counts under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, alleging sex-based discrimination and breach of contractual assurances. The United States sought declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, and a jury trial.

This case was initially assigned to Judge Katherine M. Menendez. On March 30, Judge Eric C. Tostrud was reassigned for all further proceedings. The case proceeded under 26-cv-2078 (ECT/DLM).

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Ben Hefter (4/1/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73111242/parties/united-states-v-minnesota-department-of-education/


Judge(s)

Tostrud, Eric Christian (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Carpenter, Jordan (Minnesota)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

26-cv-02078

Complaint

United States of America v. Minnesota Department of Education et al.

March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73111242/united-states-v-minnesota-department-of-education/

Last updated April 8, 2026, 3:08 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by United States of America. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Carpenter, Jordan) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Jordan Carpenter on behalf of United States of America. (Carpenter, Jordan) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026

3

(Text-Only) CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge Katherine M. Menendez per 3rd/4th Civil Rights list, referred to Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko. Please use case number 26-cv-2078 (KMM/DLM).Notice: All Nongovernmental Corporate Parties must file a Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement. (MMP) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026

4

Summons Issued as to Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota State High School League. (MMP) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026

5

ORDER OF REASSIGNMENT OF RELATED CASES. This case is reassigned to Judge Eric C. Tostrud for all further proceedings. Judge Katherine M. Menendez no longer assigned to case. NOTE: the new case number is 26-cv-2078 (ECT/DLM). Please use this case number for all subsequent pleadings Signed by Judge Eric C. Tostrud and Judge Katherine M. Menendez on 3/30/2026.(MMP) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 30, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States via the Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 26-cv-02078

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Transgender: Sports

Transgender

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