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The ex- leader's government on Monday petitioned the US Supreme Court to allow the removal of the head 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 official, Shira Perlmutter, could not be unilaterally fired.

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

This case is the most recent in a series of disputes concerning presidential authority to appoint chosen heads at government offices.

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

However, this specific matter concerns an office inside the Library of Congress. Perlmutter serves as the copyright registrar and also counsels the legislature on copyright matters.

The government's top lawyer, D John Sauer, argued in the filing that, despite ties to Congress, the director “wields administrative authority” in overseeing copyrights.

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

She allegedly got an email from the administration informing her that her role was “ended starting immediately,” according to her office.

A divided appellate group ruled that Perlmutter could retain her position while the legal dispute proceeds.

“The Executive's alleged blatant meddling with the duties of a Legislative Branch officer, as she carries out statutorily approved duties to advise the legislature, appears to be a breach of the separation of powers,” wrote Justice Florence Pan for the appeals court.

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

In opposition, Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, argued that Perlmutter “uses executive authority in a variety of ways.”

Perlmutter's lawyers have contended that she is a renowned intellectual property specialist. She has served as register of copyrights since former librarian of Congress Carla Hayden selected her to the role in October 2020.

The former president appointed deputy attorney general Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the Library of Congress. The administration had dismissed Hayden amid criticism from conservatives that she was promoting a “progressive” agenda.