The comments are the latest volley in an escalating battle between the White House and one of the nation's most prestigious colleges.

Tensions are rising across American academia as the Trump administration froze over $2 billion in multi-year grants and contracts at Harvard University after its leaders refused to make key policy changes the White House also is demanding of other elite US colleges.

The comment comes after Harvard University rejected a list of demands from the Trump administration, including changes within the classroom to address alleged bias.

Harvard said it would not bend to the government's demands, prompting the Trump administration to freeze $2.2 billion in funding for the university.