DOJ investigating Minnesota hiring practices in latest clash with Walz

"Minnesotans deserve to have their state government employees hired based on merit, not based on illegal DEI," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. 

"Federal law has long prohibited employment policies that discriminate based on race or sex," added Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department refuses to tolerate such conduct, and states invite investigation when they engage in biased hiring practices tied to protected characteristics." 

"Title VII prohibits an employer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. When the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a state or local government employer is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination in violation of Title VII, it is the Attorney General's responsibility to take appropriate action to eliminate that violation, including presenting the matter to the appropriate court for civil proceedings," Dhillon added. 

"Specifically, we have reason to believe the Minnesota Department of Human Services is engaging in unlawful action through, among other things, the adoption and forthcoming implementation of its 'hiring justification' policy," he also said. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services told Fox News Digital that it "follows all state and federal hiring laws." 

"Justification of non-affirmative action hires for some vacancies has been required by state law since 1987," it added. 

Ellison also announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration and Department of Justice in April to ensure that states can continue letting biologically male trans athletes play in girls' sports. 

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner and Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.