Harvard University has filed a lawsuit to stop US President Donald Trump from following through on his threat to freeze billions of dollars in funding. A day later, more than 180 universities issued a statement criticizing the US president.

The joint statement by 187 institutional presidents and rectors criticizes the political interference of the Trump administration and cites a risk to the autonomy and integrity of the academic system.

“We must oppose undue government intrusion into the lives of those who study, live, and work on our campuses,” the document states.

Harvard decided to sue the government after receiving a list demanding, even, an external monitor to ensure “diversity of views”.