Harvard University on Monday sued the Trump administration over its efforts to pull $2.2 billion in federal funding, after the school said it would not comply with the administration's demands over its handling of antisemitism.

The move comes after President Donald Trump recommended the Internal Revenue Service rescind the school's tax-exempt status last week, over the school's refusal to comply. The demands included merit-based hiring, reforming programs with a history of antisemitism and getting rid of "diversity, equity and inclusion" policies.

Harvard President Alan Garber accused the federal government of attempting to exert “unprecedented and improper control" over the Ivy League school, and said the freeze impacts programs unrelated to antisemitism, including the school's research on cancer, the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, and reducing the risks of diseases like Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.

"The government has cited the University’s response to antisemitism as a justification for its unlawful action," he said in a statement. "As a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism. To address it effectively requires understanding, intention, and vigilance. Harvard takes that work seriously."

Garber promised that the school would continue to fight antisemitism "urgently" and that the school has "unfinished business" when it comes to cracking down on hate crimes on the campus.

The university president also promised to publish reports from Harvard's Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias and the Task Force on Combating Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Palestinian Bias.

"The reports are hard-hitting and painful. They also include recommendations with concrete plans for implementation, which we welcome and embrace," he said. "No one in our community should experience bias, intolerance, or bigotry. We believe adoption of the recommendations and other measures will go far toward eradicating those evils on our campus."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage