Trump-appointed judge dismisses case over transgender pitcher in Minnesota girls' softball

A federal judge in Minnesota—appointed by former President Donald Trump—dismissed a lawsuit challenging how state officials handle transgender athletes in girls’ softball, drawing swift criticism from the plaintiffs and advocates who say the ruling undermines protections for female athletes.

U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud threw out the case on Sept. 19 after ruling that the anonymous plaintiffs lacked standing to sue at this stage over the policy dispute involving transgender participation in girls’ sports. The suit, filed by three anonymous female athletes, named Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett, among others, and sought to block or alter state policies tied to transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports.

The dispute centers on a Champlin Park High School pitcher who is transgender and who helped propel the team to a state championship this season. According to statistics cited by Fox News Digital, the pitcher delivered a complete-game shutout in the championship game and allowed only two runs across 35 innings that season, figures the plaintiffs said bore on competitive fairness. One plaintiff told Fox News Digital that facing the player presented both a physical and mental challenge because of perceived advantages, adding that it has created a sense that “there’s not a level playing field.” The same source quoted another plaintiff calling the issue unfair and saying girls could be displaced from teams because of such eligibility questions.

The plaintiffs argued that state officials’ policies—implemented amid a broader White House push to keep transgender athletes out of women’s competitions—harmed female athletes’ civil rights and opportunities. They cited the administration’s February executive order that sought to keep men out of women’s sports and to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s divisions. Minnesota initially said it would not follow the federal rule, a stance Ellison subsequently challenged in court by suing the Department of Justice. The Department of Education later opened two investigations into Minnesota’s handling of the matter, one of which was treated as a Title IX issue concerning sex-based civil rights.

The ruling arrives within a charged political backdrop in which the administration has pressed for a uniform standard on transgender participation in women’s sports and has argued that failing to enforce restrictions may undermine protections for women and girls. The decision also reflects ongoing tension between state policies and federal-level efforts to regulate transgender participation in athletics. In Minnesota, officials contended that their approach complied with state law and did not discriminate against transgender students, while critics argued that the policy undermined the rights of female athletes to compete on a level playing field.

Beyond Minnesota, the political clash over transgender athletes has surged in other states. California has allowed transgender athletes to compete in some girls’ events, prompting the federal government to challenge the state in June as part of its broader opposition to trans-inclusive policies. The California controversy intensified when a transgender athlete won gold in the high jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation state finals, prompting fierce backlash from opponents. In Maine, a clash over the administration’s approach to trans athletes led to a high-profile exchange at a White House meeting, during which Gov. Janet Mills warned of potential legal action if federal funding were threatened. The two sides later reached a settlement in May, but the broader national dispute over participation rules persists.

As the Minnesota decision drew scrutiny from athletes, educators, and civil rights advocates, supporters of inclusion argued that the ruling could deter transgender students from participating in school activities and undermine anti-discrimination protections. Opponents said the ruling underscored concerns that allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ divisions could compromise girls’ opportunities and safety. The judge’s decision does not end the legal debate; it may be appealed, and future rulings could further define the boundaries between state policies and federal civil rights protections in school sports.

Officials in Minnesota and the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment beyond the statements already reported in court filings and interviews. Legal experts noted that the standing issue in the case would likely be revisited if the plaintiffs choose to pursue an appeal or if new plaintiffs with direct injuries emerge in a future challenge.

The case adds another chapter to a nationwide conversation that shows few signs of resolution. As lawmakers, school districts, and federal agencies continue to weigh how best to balance fairness in competition with inclusive policies, the question of how to regulate transgender participation in girls’ sports remains a flashpoint in U.S. politics.