New Title IX investigation opened in Minnesota after trans pitcher wins girls' softball championship

OutKick contributor Riley Gaines joins 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss how the transgender athlete debate has sparked backlash in states like Minnesota and California as critics fight to protect women's sports. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a Title IX investigation into the state of Minnesota after a transgender pitcher led Champlin Park High School to a state championship earlier this month.

HHS announced the investigation on Thursday, directly citing the controversial softball situation.

"The male athlete’s participation was instrumental, leading the team to win the state title," the announcement read.

HHS's Office of Civil Rights Paula M. Stannard insisted that the state must follow federal law, and not its current state laws that permit trans inclusion in girls' sports. 

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Marissa Rothenberger celebrates in the dugout with teammates after Champlin Park's dramatic win. (Amber Harding)

"Females cannot be relegated to the sidelines under Title IX," Stannard said in the announcement. "As a recipient of Federal funds, Title IX requires Minnesota to ensure fair and safe opportunities for females to compete on sex-segregated teams – regardless of state law obligations."

The state is already under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for its state laws that allow biological males in girls' sports and defy President Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. That investigation was elevated to the federal Title IX investigation team, which operates in conjunction with the Department of Justice, on June 12. 

The state is also engaged in a pair of lawsuits over the issue, one filed by state Attorney