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The former leader's government on Monday requested the US Supreme Court to permit the removal of the head of the American copyright authority.

This urgent request comes about six weeks after a federal appeals court in Washington decided that the director, Shira Perlmutter, cannot be unilaterally dismissed.

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

This case is the most recent in a series of disputes related to presidential power to place preferred heads at government offices.

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

However, this specific matter concerns an bureau within the national library. Perlmutter acts as the register of copyrights and also advises Congress on copyright matters.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the filing that, despite ties to Congress, the director “exercises administrative authority” in overseeing intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter alleges she was terminated in May because the former president disapproved with advice she provided to Congress in a report related to artificial intelligence.

She allegedly got an message from the administration informing her that her position was “ended effective at once,” according to her staff.

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

“The administration's claimed blatant interference with the work of a Legislative Branch official, as she carries out legally authorized responsibilities to counsel the legislature, appears to be a breach of the division of government authority,” stated Judge Florence Pan for the appeals court.

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

In dissent, Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, wrote that Perlmutter “exercises executive authority in a variety of manners.”

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

The former president named assistant attorney general Todd Blanche to succeed Hayden at the Library of Congress. The White House had dismissed Hayden following criticism from conservatives that she was advancing a “woke” program.