Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz faced immediate criticism from conservatives after posting on X that the Supreme Court's ruling upholding state laws restricting transgender athletes in women's sports was 'cruel,' with critics arguing his position itself endangered young women and girls.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled 6-3 in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, allowing states to require student-athletes to compete on teams corresponding with their biological sex at birth rather than gender identity. The rulings empower more than half of U.S. states to enforce women's sports protections without legal challenge.

Walz had posted earlier in the day: 'As the Supreme Court says states can be cruel to trans kids, my message is clear: Here in Minnesota, we stand with and value our trans neighbors and youth.'

What the Left Is Saying

Walz defended his position later Tuesday at a news conference, telling reporters that Minnesota would maintain its policies welcoming transgender athletes regardless of the federal ruling.

'The Supreme Court has allowed states to be as cruel as they want to be to transgender people,' Walz said. 'They've also allowed states like Minnesota to be as kind and welcoming as they can.'

Walz emphasized that nothing would change for Minnesota's transgender youth under his administration. 'We can continue to treat our transgender athletes and youth with dignity and humanity and respect,' he said, adding: 'This idea of folks who have never been at any youth event are hell-bent on making sure some kid doesn't participate in bowling is ludicrous.'

What the Right Is Saying

Minnesota Republicans quickly responded to Walz's post, arguing his stance endangered female athletes.

Republican state Sen. Julia Coleman posted: 'What's cruel is making a teenage girl, already uncomfortable in her own skin, change in a locker room next to a naked boy. What's cruel is letting our girls get the s--- kicked out of them by biological males on the field and lose out on scholarships.'

State Sen. Michael Holmstrom wrote: 'True cruelty to these children is perpetuating the LIE that they can be a different gender, the consequence of which is the destruction of lives -- and the victimization of girls across the state.'

Republican National Committee account posted: 'What's actually cruel is advocating for the gender mutilation of children and letting men in their locker rooms you sicko.'

Retired Minnesota State Patrol Lt. John Nagel, running for Congress as a Republican in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, wrote: 'You don't support women's rights. You are the face of everything that is wrong with the Democratic party.'

Townhall columnist Dustin Grage called Walz 'Worst Governor in America,' adding: 'He'll be headed to retirement soon. Good riddance, Tim.'

What the Numbers Show

The Supreme Court ruling was a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, with conservative justices in the majority.

Following the rulings, more than half of U.S. states are now empowered to enforce laws requiring student-athletes to compete based on biological sex without fear of legal challenge.

However, 23 states including California, New York and Massachusetts do not have such restrictions in place, and some of those states have laws specifically protecting transgender athletes' access to women's sports.

The Bottom Line

The Supreme Court decision marks a significant shift in federal policy regarding transgender participation in school athletics, giving state-level bans legal standing while preserving varied approaches across the country. Walz's administration has signaled Minnesota will continue its current policies despite the ruling, maintaining a contrast with more restrictive states. Fox News Digital reached out to Walz's office for additional comment.