Trump to Cut Legal Aid, Lawyers Doubt Congress Will Approve

Despite the fact that President Donald J. Trump released his draft federal budget on Thursday and called for a complete defunding of the Legal Services Corp. — the country’s primary funder of civil legal assistance for low-income people — leaders at the organization remain optimistic about the future.

In an interview with Big Law Business, Jim Sandman, president of the Legal Services Corp., said he expects Congress will ignore Trump’s budget and grant his organization’s full request for $502.7 million.

“We represent a fundamental American value — equal justice,” said Sandman. “That’s a value as old as the republic itself. Congress understands that.” ...