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The ex- president's government on Monday petitioned the US Supreme Court to permit the termination of the head of the American copyright authority.

This urgent request comes roughly six weeks after a national appellate court in Washington ruled that the official, Shira Perlmutter, could not be solely dismissed.

Nearly one month prior, the full District of Columbia appeals court refused to reconsider that ruling.

This case is the latest in a line of cases related to executive power to appoint chosen leaders at federal agencies.

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

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

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

Perlmutter alleges she was terminated in May because the ex-leader disagreed with recommendations she gave to lawmakers in a report concerning AI.

She reportedly got an email from the White House notifying her that her position was “terminated effective at once,” as stated by her office.

A divided appellate panel ruled that Perlmutter could keep her position while the legal dispute moves forward.

“The administration's alleged blatant meddling with the work of a congressional official, as she carries out statutorily approved responsibilities to advise the legislature, appears to be a breach of the separation of powers,” wrote Justice Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

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

In dissent, Justice Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, wrote that Perlmutter “exercises executive authority in a host of ways.”

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

The former president appointed deputy attorney general Todd Blanche to succeed Hayden at the Library of Congress. The White House had dismissed Hayden following complaints from right-leaning groups that she was promoting a “woke” agenda.