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The ex- leader's administration on Monday petitioned the US Supreme Court to allow the termination of the head of the American copyright authority.

This emergency appeal follows about six weeks after a national appellate court in Washington ruled that the director, Shira Perlmutter, cannot be unilaterally fired.

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

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

The Supreme Court has generally allowed such dismissals, even as legal disputes proceed.

However, this specific matter concerns an bureau within the national library. Perlmutter serves as the register of copyrights and also counsels the legislature on copyright matters.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the filing that, despite ties to the legislative branch, the director “exercises administrative authority” in overseeing intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter alleges she was terminated in May because the ex-leader disagreed with advice she gave to Congress in a document related to AI.

She allegedly received an email from the administration informing her that her position was “terminated starting at once,” according to her office.

A divided appeals court group ruled that Perlmutter could keep her position while the case proceeds.

“The Executive's claimed blatant meddling with the work of a congressional officer, as she performs legally authorized duties to advise Congress, appears to be a violation of the division of government authority,” wrote Judge Florence Pan for the appeals court.

Justice J Michelle Childs joined the opinion. Both justices were appointed to the appellate court by Democrat President Joe Biden.

In opposition, Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, wrote that Perlmutter “exercises administrative authority in a host of manners.”

Perlmutter's lawyers have contended that she is a well-known copyright expert. She has served as copyright director since former head librarian Carla Hayden selected her to the role in October 2020.

The former president appointed assistant attorney general Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the national library. The White House had fired Hayden amid complaints from right-leaning groups that she was promoting a “progressive” agenda.