DOJ Sues Minnesota Agencies Over Trans Athletes in Girls' Sports

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a Title IX lawsuit against Minnesota's state education agencies for permitting biological male transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports. The action follows a controversy at Champlin Park High School, where a transgender pitcher helped the softball team win a state championship last season. Minnesota's high school softball season enters the spotlight again amid the federal crackdown under the Trump administration.

Champlin Park's transgender pitcher, Marissa Rothenberger, delivered a complete game shutout in the state title victory but does not appear on the team's 2026 roster. The Anoka-Hennepin School District, which oversees the school, stated it will comply with Minnesota State High School League rules and state law. The district cited an ongoing lawsuit from last season as limiting further comment.

NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher, a former Minnesota high school standout, lost 3-2 to Champlin Park in her final high school game last season. Her younger sister remains on a high school roster this year. Kotzmacher expressed concern for other girls, noting restrictions exist at the NCAA level but not in her state's high schools.

Two anonymous plaintiffs in an Alliance Defending Freedom lawsuit challenging Minnesota's policies voiced support for the DOJ action and called for fair competition. That suit was struck down by a federal judge but is under appeal. State Republicans recently failed to advance a bill barring biological males from girls' sports, after Democrats blocked a similar measure in early 2025. Meanwhile, 326 school board members from 125 districts urged compliance with federal mandates protecting girls' sports.