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The ex- leader's government on Monday requested the US Supreme Court to allow the removal of the director of the American copyright authority.

This urgent appeal comes about a month and a half after a federal appeals court in Washington decided that the official, Shira Perlmutter, could not be solely dismissed.

Almost four weeks ago, the full District of Columbia appeals court declined to reconsider that decision.

This legal matter is the latest in a series of disputes related to presidential power to place chosen heads at federal agencies.

The High Court has mostly permitted such dismissals, even as court challenges proceed.

However, this specific matter involves an bureau inside the national library. Perlmutter serves as the copyright registrar and also counsels Congress on copyright matters.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the filing that, regardless of ties to Congress, the register “wields executive authority” in regulating intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter claims she was terminated in May because the former president disapproved with recommendations she provided to Congress in a document related to artificial intelligence.

She reportedly received an email from the administration informing her that her role was “terminated starting immediately,” as stated by her staff.

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

“The administration's alleged obvious meddling with the work of a Legislative Branch officer, as she carries out statutorily authorized responsibilities to advise the legislature, appears to be a violation of the separation of powers,” wrote Justice Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

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

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

Perlmutter's attorneys have contended that she is a renowned intellectual property specialist. 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 dismissed Hayden following complaints from right-leaning groups that she was advancing a “progressive” program.