The Trump administration has gone after Harvard University since April. It has cut billions in funding while also demanding an overhaul of its leadership structure, admissions and hiring. The

The sum sought by the government is more than twice as much as the $200 million fine that Columbia University said it would pay when it settled its clash with the White House last week.

"Well it's a lot of money," Trump told reporters when asked at the White House if $500 million would be enough to make a deal. The New York Times reported on Monday that the Ivy League institution was open to spending up to that amount to settle the dispute.