Case: United States v. Minnesota Department of Education

0:26-cv-02078 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: March 30, 2026

Case Ongoing

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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 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)

Judge(s)

Tostrud, Eric Christian (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Carpenter, Jordan (Minnesota)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 0:26-cv-02078	Complaint United States of America v. Minnesota Department of Education et al.	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

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

Last updated Sept. 28, 2026, 3:21 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. Minnesota Department of Education

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	March 30, 2026	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	Clearinghouse
2	March 30, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Jordan Carpenter on behalf of United States of America. (Carpenter, Jordan) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	RECAP
3	March 30, 2026	(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)	RECAP
4	March 30, 2026	Summons Issued as to Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota State High School League. (MMP) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	RECAP
5	March 30, 2026	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)	RECAP
6	April 24, 2026	SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Minnesota State High School League served on 4/10/2026, answer due 5/1/2026. (Carpenter, Jordan) (Entered: 04/24/2026)	RECAP
7	April 24, 2026	SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Minnesota Department of Education served on 4/14/2026, answer due 5/5/2026. (Carpenter, Jordan) (Entered: 04/24/2026)	RECAP
8	April 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Bies on behalf of Minnesota Department of Education. (Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
9	April 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Peter J Farrell on behalf of Minnesota Department of Education. (Farrell, Peter) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
10	April 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth C Kramer on behalf of Minnesota Department of Education. (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
11	April 28, 2026	STIPULATION re 1 Complaint (Stipulation to Extend Time to Answer) by Minnesota Department of Education. Jointly Signed by Katherine Bies for Def. MN Dept of Education, Kevin Beck for Def. MN State High School League, and Jordan Carpenter for Plaintiff USA. (Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
12	April 28, 2026	PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 11 Stipulation,. (Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
13	April 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Maura C Allen on behalf of Minnesota Department of Education. (Allen, Maura) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
14	April 29, 2026	(Text-Only) ORDER. Based on the parties' Stipulation 11, and for good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants shall have until and including May 19, 2026, to answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's Complaint. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 4/29/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 04/29/2026)	RECAP
	April 29, 2026	Order on Stipulation
15	May 18, 2026	MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for U.S. Government Attorney LaDawn Burnett. (KMO) (Entered: 05/18/2026)	RECAP
16	May 18, 2026	TEXT ONLY ENTRY: ORDER granting 15 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney LaDawn Burnett for United States of America. Approved by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 5/18/2026. (KMO) (Entered: 05/18/2026)	RECAP
	May 18, 2026	Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney
17	May 19, 2026	NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION (MDE Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint) Motion Hearing set for 9/28/2026 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 7D (STP) before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. (Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 05/19/2026)	RECAP
18	May 19, 2026	NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION MSHSL Motion to Dismiss Motion Hearing set for 9/28/2026 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 7D (STP) before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. (Beck, Kevin) (Entered: 05/19/2026)	RECAP
19	July 27, 2026	NOTICE of Withdrawal as Attorney (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 07/27/2026)	RECAP
20	Aug. 17, 2026	MOTION to Dismiss/General (Plaintiff's Complaint) filed by Minnesota Department of Education. (Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
21	Aug. 17, 2026	MEMORANDUM in Support re 20 MOTION to Dismiss/General (Plaintiff's Complaint) filed by Minnesota Department of Education. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
22	Aug. 17, 2026	Declaration of Katherine Bies in Support of 20 MOTION to Dismiss/General (Plaintiff's Complaint) filed by Minnesota Department of Education. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) 1, # 2 Exhibit(s) 2)(Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
23	Aug. 17, 2026	MEET and CONFER STATEMENT re 20 Motion to Dismiss/General filed by Minnesota Department of Education.(Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
24	Aug. 17, 2026	PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 20 MOTION to Dismiss/General (Plaintiff's Complaint) filed by Minnesota Department of Education.(Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
25	Aug. 17, 2026	MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Minnesota State High School League. (Beck, Kevin) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
26	Aug. 17, 2026	MEMORANDUM in Support re 25 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Minnesota State High School League. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Beck, Kevin) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
27	Aug. 17, 2026	MEET and CONFER STATEMENT re 25 Motion to Dismiss/General filed by Minnesota State High School League.(Beck, Kevin) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
28	Aug. 17, 2026	PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 25 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Minnesota State High School League.(Beck, Kevin) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
29	Aug. 17, 2026	NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION: 25 MOTION to Dismiss/General . Motion Hearing set for 9/28/2026 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 7D (STP) before Chief Judge Eric C. Tostrud. (Beck, Kevin) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
30	Aug. 18, 2026	(Text-Only) ORDER. Due to the pending Motion to Dismiss 25, 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 8/18/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 08/18/2026)	RECAP
	Aug. 18, 2026	Order/Notice to Attorney
32	Aug. 19, 2026	MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for U.S. Government Attorney Julianne Fleischer. (KMO) (Entered: 08/19/2026)	RECAP
33	Aug. 19, 2026	TEXT ONLY ENTRY: ORDER granting 32 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney Julianne Fleischer for United States of America. Approved by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 8/19/2026. (KMO) (Entered: 08/19/2026)	RECAP
	Aug. 19, 2026	Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney
34	Sept. 8, 2026	RESPONSE in Opposition re 25 MOTION to Dismiss/General, 20 MOTION to Dismiss/General (Plaintiff's Complaint) filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Carpenter, Jordan) (Entered: 09/08/2026)	RECAP
35	Sept. 15, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth A. Nielsen on behalf of Do Not Harm, Inc.. (Nielsen, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/15/2026)	RECAP
36	Sept. 15, 2026	MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Attorney David H. Thompson. Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AMNDC-13272064 filed by Do Not Harm, Inc.. (Nielsen, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/15/2026)	RECAP
37	Sept. 15, 2026	MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Adam P. Laxalt. Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AMNDC-13272107 filed by Do Not Harm, Inc.. (Nielsen, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/15/2026)	RECAP
38	Sept. 15, 2026	MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Attorney John D. Ramer. Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AMNDC-13272116 filed by Do Not Harm, Inc.. (Nielsen, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/15/2026)	RECAP
39	Sept. 15, 2026	MOTION to Appear as Amicus Curiae filed by Do Not Harm, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Amicus Curiae Brief)(Nielsen, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/15/2026)	RECAP
40	Sept. 15, 2026	(Text-Only) ORDER granting 36 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Attorney David H. Thompson for Do Not Harm, Inc.; granting 37 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Attorney Adam P. Laxalt for Do Not Harm, Inc.; and, granting 38 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Attorney John D. Ramer for Do Not Harm, Inc. Approved by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 9/16/2026. (CNO) (Entered: 09/16/2026)	RECAP
	Sept. 16, 2026	Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice
41	Sept. 17, 2026	MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 39 MOTION to Appear as Amicus Curiae filed by Minnesota Department of Education. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Farrell, Peter) (Entered: 09/17/2026)	RECAP
42	Sept. 21, 2026	ORDER: Do No Harm, Inc.'s motion for leave to file a brief of amicus curiae 39 is DENIED. Signed by Chief Judge Eric C. Tostrud on 9/21/2026. (RMM) (Entered: 09/21/2026)	RECAP
43	Sept. 22, 2026	Reply to Response to Motion re 20 MOTION to Dismiss/General (Plaintiff's Complaint) filed by Minnesota Department of Education. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Bies, Katherine) (Entered: 09/22/2026)	RECAP
44	Sept. 22, 2026	REPLY re 25 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Minnesota State High School League. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Beck, Kevin) (Entered: 09/22/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Transgender Rights

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 0:26-cv-02078

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Transgender: Sports

Transgender

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Minnesota Department of Education, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48004/ (last updated 4/1/2026).