Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is joining other states in suing the Trump administration over several of his executive orders.
The lawsuits include one challenging the end of birthright citizenship, another opposing a federal funding freeze, another challenging a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and another challenging National Institute of Health cuts. Two additional lawsuits challenge the Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk’s actions.
Some, if not all, of these lawsuits are expected to eventually reach the United States Supreme Court, which now has three justices appointed by Mr. Trump during his first term.
Esme Murphy questioned Ellison about his chances of success on any of the issues. He was a guest on WCCO’s Sunday Morning at 10:30 a.m.
“I see us winning. “I believe that the 10th Amendment of the Constitution states that Minnesota has the authority to write Minnesota laws,” Ellison said. “We have federalism in the United States and the federal government cannot say we’re going to make you do it our way.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi has threatened to sue Minnesota if the state does not comply with Mr. Trump’s orders.
Ellison has won several lower court rounds. In the most recent case, a federal judge temporarily blocked Mr. Trump’s order prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender young people. Minnesota was one of four states that filed a lawsuit challenging the orders.
“It is immoral to persecute a minority group, such as the transgender community. I believe it is wrong, but it goes beyond that because they are attempting to tell us how to run Minnesota from Washington,” Ellison stated.
Some Ellison lawsuits, such as the one against NIH cuts, have involved as many as 22 states. Already in 2025, the NIH has granted Minnesota more than $71 million. This includes $37 million for the University of Minnesota and $29 million for the Mayo Clinic.
“The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse. Trump simply says, ‘No, I don’t want it to go there. I don’t care what Congress votes on; it’ll go my way. The law says no. “There are laws, and you can’t just do that,” he explained.
Ellison says he is ready to file additional lawsuits if necessary.
The Trump administration is suing the state of New York over a law that allows undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses. Minnesota has an identical law.
Ellison left Congress to successfully run for attorney general in 2018, but he says he is now considering joining a long list of potential Senate candidates in 2026.
There is still no word on when he will make his final decision.
