Justice Department Sues Minnesota Over Race-Based Hiring Mandates

The United States Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Minnesota on January 14, 2026, challenging a mandate that all state agencies implement sex- and race-based affirmative action plans. Federal prosecutors allege that Minnesota's requirement to align workforce demographics with the civilian labor force violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against employees and job seekers.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the policies as simple discrimination and stated the lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Justice Department is seeking a permanent injunction and a three-judge panel in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota to handle the case due to its public importance.

Simultaneously, the federal government launched other civil rights enforcement actions. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights initiated investigations into 18 educational organizations across 10 states, including school districts in Maine, for alleged Title IX violations. These investigations target policies that allow students to participate in sports based on gender identity rather than biological sex, following an executive order by President Donald Trump.