Minnesota sues Trump administration for transgender executive orders
WASHINGTON
Minnesota’s top lawyer sued the administration of Donald Trump on Tuesday for executive orders related to transgender people.
“I’m not going to sit around waiting for the Trump administration to sue Minnesota,” State Attorney General Keith Ellison told reporters at the state Capitol in St. Paul.
“Today, Minnesota is suing him and his administration because we will not participate in this shameful bullying,” he added.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi threatened legal action last week against Minnesota because it refused to implement Trump’s executive order that banned transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports.
“We will not participate for two reasons. One, they’re wrong about the law, both federal and state law. Two, we will not let a small group of vulnerable children who are only trying to be healthy and to live their lives be demonized,” said Ellison.
According to the lawsuit, the executive orders and the Justice Department’s actions violate the separation of powers in the US Constitution.
“That’s not how the law works. That’s not how the Constitution works, and that’s not how democracy works,” said Ellison.
Last week, Bondi unveiled legal actions against Maine for that state’s refusal to ban transgender athletes from women’s and girl’s sports.
The dispute began in February when Trump signed an executive order that banned transgender women from women’s and girls’ sports.
During a White House event Feb. 21, Trump confronted Maine Gov. Janet Mills and asked her if she would comply. Mills responded: “I’m complying with state and federal law.” Trump retorted: “We are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.”
The Democratic governor stood her ground, saying: “We’ll see you in court,” with Trump replying: “Good. I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that.”
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