The Trump administration has launched a federal investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) concerning reports of "transgender dolls" being introduced in classrooms. The probe, initiated by the Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office following a complaint from the advocacy group Defending Education, alleges that parents were not notified or given the option to opt their children out of classroom activities involving "MyGender Dolls."
If the investigation finds that state officials violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) or infringed upon parental rights, Minnesota could face the loss of significant federal education funding. An ED official described the dolls as "sexually explicit" and stated that their use with young children undermines parental authority on sensitive topics.
According to the complaint, the "MyGender Dolls" are designed for children as young as four years old and feature removable and interchangeable genitalia, clothing, and accessories. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the administration is fighting to protect children's innocence and defend parents' roles in education, emphasizing that no four-year-old should be exposed to such material without parental consent.
However, the Minnesota Department of Education disputes the federal government's claims, asserting it has no involvement with the program. A spokesperson pointed to the University of Minnesota as the entity associated with the dolls, stating, "This is a University of Minnesota study/program. The Minnesota Department of Education has no involvement with this."
The University of Minnesota also issued a statement clarifying its position. A university spokesperson stated that the team developing the dolls participated in privately funded review competitions and received no state or federal funds for their development or commercialization. The university added that "MyGender Dolls" is a private, independent LLC and not affiliated with the University of Minnesota.
Governor Tim Walz's office has further challenged the assertion that the program is taxpayer-funded. A spokesperson for the governor stated that the program was created through private donors and is supported by a privately funded grant. The governor's office claims the story has been "manufactured by right-wing media" and that the program is not being implemented in Minnesota schools under the current administration.
Researchers behind the "MyGender Dolls" project have stated that the dolls are intended as a therapeutic tool for licensed professionals and will not be distributed in public school classrooms this fall.
The action against Minnesota is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration targeting gender-identity policies in public schools. The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, has recently taken enforcement actions against school districts in Maryland and Michigan for allegedly violating federal privacy laws related to students' gender transitions.