Groundbreaking Moment: Trans Athlete Leads Minnesota High School Softball Team to State Title
Trump Potentially Addresses Walz Regarding Male Athletes in Female Sports Competitions in Minnesota
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, all eyes are on the White House as Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender male athlete, leads her school's softball team, the Champlin Park Rebels, to the state championship. Notably, President Trump has criticized governors in California and Maine, highlighting their permissive policies regarding male athletes in girls' sports. Will Rothenberger's unparalleled performances help sway Trump's focus towards Governor Walz?
This week, Rothenberger, a junior who identifies as a female, has tossed back-to-back complete games for Champlin Park High School. Her formidable pitching has helped secure a spot for her team in the Class AAAA Minnesota state title game [1][2]. However, these victories have sparked controversy, with parents, athletes, and legal advocates decrying the inclusion of male athletes in girls' sports as an unsavory violation of federal law [1][3].
Trump's Executive Order and the Crackdown on Federal Law Violations
In February, President Trump's executive order banned males from competing in girls' and women's sports, citing Title IX protections for female athletes. According to the order, any state that fails to comply risks losing federal funding [4]. Despite this warning, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) vowed to allow student-athletes to compete in events according to their gender identity [1][2].
In response, the Department of Education promptly initiated Title IX investigations into both MSHSL and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for policies that infringe on the executive order [4]. Craig Trainor, acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, emphasized that while both organizations could indulge in self-proclaimed virtue-signaling, they must abide by federal law [4].
Minnesota Stands Firm in Protections for Trans Athletes
Rather than delegate, Minnesota chose to stand its ground. State Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the executive order unlawfully threatens federal funding and unfairly targets vulnerable children [1][5].
So far, Governor Tim Walz, known for advocating for transgender youth, has remained silent on theissue. Rothenberger's participation in the state tournament has left many wondering whether Walz will be Trump's next target for Title IX violations.
A Nationwide Battle Over Female Athletes' Rights
Minnesota is not alone in its struggle against the White House's stance on women's sports. Recently, Trump has publicly traded barbs with governors in California and Maine over similar issues. For example, during an event in February, Trump publicly called out California Gov. Gavin Newsom in connection with the participation of trans athletes in girls' sports [1][6]. Time will tell if President Trump follows suit with Governor Walz.
[1] https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/trans-athlete-wins-girls-high-school-state-title-with-second-no-hitter/ar-AAXgVcT
[2] https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/mar/24/trump-sends-letter-to-mane-s-gov-touting-his-execu/
[3] https://www.axios.com/transgender-student-athletes-donald-trump-signs-executive-order-4bf91a33-cd52-46fd-bdbf-9e8c02501e17.html
[4] https://www.targetednewsservice.com/article/acting-assistant-secretary-civil-rights-warns-of-investigation-of-state-high-school-sports-association-over-transgender-athlete-policy/
[5] https://www.startribune.com/investigators-will-decide-if-school-violated-womens-sports-provisions-of-title-ix/600163439/
[6] https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/28/trump-slams-newsom-on-transgender-athlete-order-hits-california-for-discriminating-against-female-sports/
(Photo by Amber Harding)
- The Trump administration has launched Title IX investigations against the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for their policies on transgender athletes in girls' sports, citing federal law violations.
- In Minneapolis, President Trump has criticized Governor Tim Walz for allowing a transgender male athlete, Marissa Rothenberger, to compete in girls' softball, highlighting his concern for female athletes' rights in sports.
- Marissa Rothenberger's extraordinary pitching performances have led her school, Champlin Park High School, to the Class AAAA Minnesota state title game, but her participation has sparked controversy and threats of losing federal funding.
- In response to the Trump administration's stance on transgender athletes, Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the executive order unfairly targets vulnerable children.
- The nationwide battle over female athletes' rights continues, with President Trump openly sparring with governors, such as California's Gavin Newsom, over the participation of trans athletes in girls' sports.
