Biden takes executive action to boost legal services for low-income Americans

Washington — President Biden is poised to take executive action Tuesday to boost access to legal services and the legal system for low-income Americans after government-led initiatives largely went dormant during the Trump administration. 

Mr. Biden's presidential memorandum is the latest step taken by his administration to advance racial equity and joins his requested $1.5 billion for grants to bolster state and local criminal justice systems, including for public defenders. His action also comes nearly a year after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which sparked protests against racial injustice and federal efforts to reform policing.  "The federal government has a critical role to play in expanding access to the nation's legal system and supporting the work of civil legal aid providers and public defenders," the White House said in a fact sheet detailing the memorandum. "President Biden's executive action today will reinvigorate the federal government's role in advancing access to justice, and help ensure that the Administration's policies and recovery efforts can reach as many individuals as possible."