In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division filed a civil rights lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The DOJ contends that MPS’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and related employment practices discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex by prioritizing underrepresented populations and by awarding preferential terms to participants in programs such as Black Men Teach Fellows for certain employment benefits and layoff decisions.
The complaint asserts that MPS aims to increase its BIPOC staffing targets (for example, to at least 40% by 2026 and 54.3% of new hires identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color by 2026-27) and that the CBA classifies teachers for involuntary reassignment, layoff, and reinstatement based on membership in an “underrepresented population.” It further claims that Black Men Teach Fellows receive multiple benefits and employment terms not available to female or non-Black teachers, in alleged violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Department asks the court to declare that the district discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, and sex and to issue a permanent injunction prohibiting the inclusion of such discriminatory provisions in future contracts.
The action reflects ongoing national debates about race-conscious policies in education and the balance between diversity, equity, and merit. The case is proceeding in federal court in Minnesota, with litigation expected to continue as both sides present arguments and the court considers injunctive relief and potential remedies.
Media headlines sometimes link the case to President Trump, but the lawsuit is brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and does not involve Trump as a party to the action.
Sources referenced in reporting include the Department of Justice press release outlining the complaint, and coverage from Star Tribune and NBC News providing additional context on the dispute.
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