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The ex- leader's administration on Monday petitioned the US Supreme Court to permit the termination of the director of the US Copyright Office.

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

Almost four weeks prior, the entire District of Columbia appeals court declined to review that ruling.

This case is the latest in a line of cases related to executive authority to appoint preferred leaders at government agencies.

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

However, this specific matter concerns an bureau inside the Library of Congress. Perlmutter serves as the copyright registrar and also advises the legislature on copyright issues.

The government's top lawyer, D John Sauer, argued in the filing that, despite ties to Congress, the director “wields executive authority” in regulating intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter alleges she was fired in May because the ex-leader disagreed with recommendations she gave to Congress in a document related to artificial intelligence.

She reportedly got an message from the White House informing her that her role was “terminated starting at once,” according to her staff.

A divided appellate panel decided that Perlmutter could keep her position while the case moves forward.

“The administration's alleged blatant interference with the duties of a congressional official, as she carries out statutorily authorized duties to counsel the legislature, appears to be a breach of the separation of powers,” stated Judge Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

Judge J Michelle Childs supported the opinion. Both justices were appointed to the appeals court by Democratic President Joe Biden.

In dissent, Justice Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, argued that Perlmutter “exercises executive power in a variety of manners.”

Perlmutter's attorneys have argued that she is a renowned intellectual property expert. She has served as copyright director since former head librarian Carla Hayden appointed her to the role in October 2020.

The ex-leader appointed deputy attorney general Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the Library of Congress. The administration had fired Hayden amid criticism from right-leaning groups that she was advancing a “woke” agenda.