US President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 7, 2025 (File picture). —AFP

Washington: Harvard University sued the President Donald Trump administration on Monday (local time) over constant threats of freezing funding of more than USD 2.2 billion, The New York Times reported.   University President Alan M Garber accused Trump's administration of trying to wield "unprecedented and improper control," adding that the government's action would have "severe and long-lasting" consequences.

This development comes after the Trump administration demanded access to all university reports on antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias on campus generated since October 2023, claiming the university has allowed antisemitic language to remain unchecked on their campuses.

As reported by the New York Times, Garber, in his statement, said that "as a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism." He added that the government need to legally engage with the university instead of seeking  to control "whom we hire and what we teach."