The head of Harvard University doubled down on his defiance against the Trump administration, telling NBC News' Lester Holt that the Ivy League school would not compromise on certain issues despite the federal government’s threat to freeze more than $2 billion in funding.

Harvard President Alan Garber said the school had "no choice" but to fight back against what it believes is federal overreach and an illegal attempt by the government to withhold funding as leverage to control academic decision-making.