The U.S. Department of Education said Wednesday it has directed investigations into the Minnesota and California state high school leagues because they have indicated “they plan to violate Title IX federal law.”

On Feb. 5, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.

The Minnesota State High School League said the executive order is at odds with the Human Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Minnesota Constitution, which prohibits discrimination against any person in any protected class, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity.”

The MSHSL said in a statement Monday that it is seeking guidance from the state on how to proceed. The MSHSL said in a statement Tuesday that it is seeking guidance from the state, adding, “The Executive Order appears to conflict with current State law.”

The League noted the executive order required a 60-day window for athletic associations “to convene and take action implementing the order.” Until it reaches a resolution, the MSHSL noted its current bylaw “remains in place at this time allowing transgender student participation.”

“The Minnesota State High School League and the California Interscholastic Federation are free to engage in all the meaningless virtue-signaling that they want, but at the end of the day they must abide by federal law,” Acting assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said in a statement. “OCR’s Chicago and San Francisco regional offices will conduct directed investigations into both organizations to ensure that female athletes in these states are treated with the dignity, respect, and equality that the Trump Administration demands.

“I would remind these organizations that history does not look kindly on entities and states that actively opposed the enforcement of federal civil rights laws that protect women and girls from discrimination and harassment.”

The MSHSL declined further comment in the immediate wake of the Department of Education’s announcement. The offices of Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This story will be updated.

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