The president of Harvard on Wednesday defended the university’s decision to sue the Trump administration, adding that the institution “cannot compromise” on core principles like the First Amendment. Harvard took legal action against the Trump administration on Monday over the government’s decision to freeze over $2 billion in federal funding meant for the university after it refused to make the reforms it ordered.

The move to dismiss William A. Burck underscored both the entanglements between Mr. Trump’s presidency and company and the degree to which he will look to target people he believes have wronged him.