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The ex- leader's administration on Monday petitioned the US Supreme Court to allow the removal of the head of the US Copyright Office.

This emergency request comes roughly six weeks after a federal appeals court in Washington decided that the director, Shira Perlmutter, cannot be solely fired.

Nearly four weeks ago, the entire District of Columbia circuit court declined to review that decision.

This legal matter is the most recent in a series of cases related to presidential power to place preferred heads at federal offices.

The High Court has mostly permitted such dismissals, even as court disputes continue.

However, this specific case involves an bureau within the Library of Congress. Perlmutter acts as the copyright registrar and also counsels the legislature on intellectual property issues.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, argued in the filing that, despite connections to the legislative branch, the director “wields administrative authority” in regulating intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter claims she was fired in May because the former president disagreed with recommendations she gave to Congress in a document related to AI.

She allegedly got an email from the White House informing her that her position was “ended starting immediately,” as stated by her staff.

A split appellate group decided that Perlmutter could keep her job while the legal dispute moves forward.

“The administration's alleged blatant meddling with the work of a congressional officer, as she performs statutorily authorized responsibilities to counsel Congress, appears to be a violation of the separation of powers,” stated Justice Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

Justice J Michelle Childs supported the ruling. Both judges were appointed to the appeals court by Democratic leader Joe Biden.

In dissent, Judge Justin Walker, a former president's nominee, wrote that Perlmutter “uses executive authority in a host of manners.”

Perlmutter's lawyers have argued that she is a well-known intellectual property expert. She has acted as register of copyrights since former head librarian Carla Hayden selected her to the position in October 2020.

The ex-leader appointed assistant attorney general Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the national library. The administration had fired Hayden following complaints from right-leaning groups that she was promoting a “woke” agenda.