Earlier this fall, universities around the country learned that money appropriated by Congress through the Title VI program would not be released. The money funded studies centers that focused scholarly attention on Latin America, East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

These programs were deemed “inconsistent with Administration priorities and do not advance American interest or values” according to the notice of cancellation.

The idea that producing expertise about regions of the world where America has political, security and economic interests is “inconsistent with Administration priorities” might be fodder for a few good jokes — of course, this administration doesn’t want to produce expertise.

Plenty of people in Trump’s orbit think this kind of expertise is “useless.” They are the

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