Minnesota faces a new Title IX investigation from the Trump administration following a transgender athlete’s victory in a girls’ softball state championship. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has cited the case, asserting that the state must comply with federal law over its current state policies allowing trans inclusion in girls’ sports. This comes amid an ongoing probe by the U.S. Department of Education regarding Minnesota’s state laws that permit biological males in girls’ sports, a move that challenges President Donald Trump’s executive order to keep men out of women’s sports.
The state is already under investigation for its policies that allow trans athletes to compete in girls’ sports, a situation that has led to multiple lawsuits. One of these lawsuits was filed by Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, against the Trump administration, while another was initiated by three anonymous girls’ softball players who claim to have faced unfair competition due to the presence of a transgender athlete. The state’s failure to pass a bill banning biological males from girls’ and women’s sports further exacerbated the situation, allowing a transgender pitcher, Marissa Rothenberger, to dominate the championship games.
Rothenberger’s performance was crucial in Champlin Park High School’s victory, securing a state title with a dominant showing in the playoff games. Her efforts included a complete-game shutout in the championship, allowing only three hits and striking out six. This performance has sparked significant controversy, with one of the female players stating that competing against Rothenberger has been a mental challenge, citing her unfair advantages in the sport. The player also criticized Attorney General Ellison for supporting trans inclusion in girls’ sports, calling his stance ‘disgusting and wrong.’
The Champlin Park school district has defended the decision to allow Rothenberger to compete, stating that all athletes are eligible under state laws and applicable rules. The district’s statement emphasized compliance with state regulations and noted that they could not provide public comments on specific athletes due to data privacy laws. Meanwhile, Ellison has defended the inclusion of trans athletes, stating that it is wrong to single out any group and that all students should have the right to participate in sports.
This situation reflects broader national debates over gender inclusion in sports, with ongoing legal battles and federal investigations shaping the landscape. The controversy underscores the complex interplay between state laws, federal regulations, and the rights of transgender athletes to compete in schools and collegiate sports across the United States.