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The former leader's government on Monday requested the US Supreme Court to allow the removal of the head of the US Copyright Office.

This emergency request comes roughly a month and a half after a national appeals court in Washington ruled that the director, Shira Perlmutter, could not be solely dismissed.

Nearly one month prior, the full District of Columbia appeals court refused to review that ruling.

This legal matter is the latest in a series of cases concerning presidential authority to appoint preferred heads at federal offices.

The Supreme Court has mostly permitted such actions, even as legal challenges proceed.

However, this specific case involves an office within the national library. Perlmutter serves as the register of copyrights and also advises Congress on copyright issues.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the filing that, regardless of connections to the legislative branch, the director “wields executive power” in overseeing intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter claims she was terminated in May because the former president disapproved with advice she gave to lawmakers in a document concerning artificial intelligence.

She allegedly received an message from the administration notifying her that her position was “ended effective at once,” as stated by her staff.

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

“The Executive's alleged blatant meddling with the duties of a congressional officer, as she carries out legally authorized responsibilities to counsel the legislature, appears to be a breach of the separation of powers,” stated Judge Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

Justice J Michelle Childs supported the ruling. Both justices were nominated to the appellate court by Democrat leader Joe Biden.

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

Perlmutter's lawyers have contended that she is a well-known intellectual property specialist. She has acted as register of copyrights since ex- librarian of Congress Carla Hayden selected her to the role in October 2020.

The ex-leader named deputy attorney general Todd Blanche to succeed Hayden at the Library of Congress. The White House had dismissed Hayden following criticism from right-leaning groups that she was promoting a “progressive” program.