Trump admin finds Minnesota violated Title IX by letting males in girls' sports, citing trans softball pitcher

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. 

FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services have determined that Minnesota education agencies have violated Title IX by allowing biological male trans athletes to compete in girls' sports, Fox News Digital has learned. 

President Donald Trump's administration found the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) in violation of Title IX after two months-long investigation into state policies and a transgender pitcher leading a girls' high school softball team to a state championship. 

A Department of Education press release obtained by Fox News Digital cites the pitcher's performance in the 2025 season for the recent crackdown, stating "the male pitcher overpowered female athletes during five consecutive matches, only giving up one earned run over the course of 35 innings and striking out 27 female batters."

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The release also cited instances of trans athletes competing in girls’ Alpine skiing, girls’ Nordic skiing, girls’ lacrosse, girls’ track and field team and girls’ volleyball. 

"For too many years, Minnesota’s political leadership has found itself on the wrong side of justice, common sense, and the American people. Now the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League find themselves on the wrong side of Title IX by allowing males to compete in women’s sports," said DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. 

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