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The ex- leader's administration on Monday requested the nation's highest court to permit the removal of the director of the US Copyright Office.

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

Nearly one month ago, the full District of Columbia appeals court declined to reconsider that decision.

This legal matter is the latest in a series of disputes concerning presidential authority to place preferred leaders at federal offices.

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

However, this particular matter involves an bureau within the national library. Perlmutter serves as the copyright registrar and also counsels the legislature on copyright issues.

The government's top lawyer, D John Sauer, stated in the filing that, despite connections to the legislative branch, the register “wields executive authority” in overseeing intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter claims she was terminated in May because the ex-leader disapproved with recommendations she provided to lawmakers in a document concerning AI.

She reportedly received an email from the White House notifying her that her position was “terminated effective at once,” according to her office.

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

“The Executive's alleged obvious interference with the work of a congressional official, as she carries out statutorily approved responsibilities to counsel Congress, appears to be a violation of the division of government authority,” wrote Judge Florence Pan for the appeals court.

Judge J Michelle Childs supported the ruling. Both judges were nominated to the appeals court by Democratic President Joe Biden.

In dissent, Judge Justin Walker, a former president's nominee, wrote that Perlmutter “exercises administrative authority in a variety of ways.”

Perlmutter's lawyers have argued that she is a renowned copyright expert. She has acted as copyright director since ex- librarian of Congress Carla Hayden appointed her to the role in October 2020.

The ex-leader appointed deputy attorney general Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the national library. The administration had dismissed Hayden following criticism from conservatives that she was promoting a “progressive” program.