North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory makes remarks concerning House Bill 2 while speaking during a government affairs conference in Raleigh, N.C. on May 4. DOJ sues North Carolina over transgender bathroom bill

The Justice Department filed a counter-suit against the state of North Carolina on Monday, just hours after Gov. Pat McCrory sued the Obama administration over the Justice Department's demand that the state stop implementing a law blocking protections for gay and transgender individuals.

The Justice Department's suit, filed in U.S. District Court in North Carolina, seeks a preliminary injunction to block implementation of the state's House Bill 2, which requires transgender individuals to use bathrooms that align with the gender listed on their birth certificate, as opposed to their gender identity. The suit names as defendants the state, McCrory, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the University of North Carolina System and the UNC Board of Governors.