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The former president's government on Monday petitioned the nation's highest court to permit the termination of the director of the US Copyright Office.

This urgent appeal comes roughly six weeks after a federal appeals court in Washington ruled that the director, Shira Perlmutter, could not be unilaterally fired.

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

This case is the latest in a series of cases related to executive authority to appoint preferred leaders at government offices.

The High Court has generally allowed such actions, even as legal challenges proceed.

However, this specific matter involves an office within the Library of Congress. Perlmutter serves as the register of copyrights and also counsels the legislature on copyright matters.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the legal document that, regardless of connections to Congress, the register “exercises executive power” in overseeing copyrights.

Perlmutter alleges she was fired in May because the ex-leader disagreed with advice she gave to Congress in a report concerning artificial intelligence.

She reportedly received an email from the White House informing her that her position was “ended effective immediately,” as stated by her staff.

A split appeals court group ruled that Perlmutter could retain her position while the legal dispute proceeds.

“The Executive's alleged blatant meddling with the duties of a congressional officer, as she performs legally approved responsibilities to advise Congress, strikes us as a violation of the separation of powers,” wrote Judge Florence Pan for the appeals court.

Justice J Michelle Childs joined the ruling. Both justices were nominated to the appeals court by Democrat President Joe Biden.

In opposition, Justice Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, wrote that Perlmutter “exercises administrative power in a variety of manners.”

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

The former president named deputy attorney general Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the Library of Congress. The administration had fired Hayden following complaints from right-leaning groups that she was promoting a “progressive” agenda.