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The former leader's government on Monday petitioned the nation's highest court to allow the removal of the head of the US Copyright Office.

This emergency appeal comes about six weeks after a national appeals court in Washington ruled that the director, Shira Perlmutter, cannot be unilaterally dismissed.

Almost one month ago, the entire District of Columbia circuit court refused to reconsider that ruling.

This case is the latest in a line of disputes concerning executive power to place chosen heads at government agencies.

The High Court has mostly allowed such actions, even as court challenges continue.

However, this specific matter involves an bureau inside the Library of Congress. Perlmutter acts as the copyright registrar and also counsels the legislature on copyright matters.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the legal document that, regardless of connections to the legislative branch, the register “wields executive authority” in overseeing intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter claims she was terminated in May because the former president disagreed with advice she gave to lawmakers in a report concerning AI.

She allegedly received an email from the White House informing her that her role was “terminated effective immediately,” according to her office.

A divided appellate panel ruled that Perlmutter could retain her job while the case moves forward.

“The administration's claimed obvious interference with the work of a Legislative Branch official, as she performs statutorily approved duties to advise the legislature, appears to be a breach of the separation of powers,” stated Judge Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

Justice J Michelle Childs joined the opinion. Both judges were nominated to the appeals court by Democrat leader Joe Biden.

In dissent, Justice Justin Walker, a former president's nominee, argued that Perlmutter “exercises administrative authority in a host of ways.”

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

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