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The former leader's government on Monday requested the nation's highest court to permit the termination 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 official, Shira Perlmutter, could not be unilaterally dismissed.

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

This case is the most recent in a line of disputes concerning presidential power to appoint preferred leaders at government offices.

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

However, this particular case involves an office within the national library. Perlmutter serves as the register of copyrights and also advises Congress on copyright matters.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the filing that, despite connections to Congress, the register “wields executive power” in overseeing copyrights.

Perlmutter claims she was terminated in May because the former president disapproved with advice she gave to lawmakers in a report related to artificial intelligence.

She allegedly got an message from the White House notifying her that her position was “ended effective immediately,” according to her staff.

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

“The administration's alleged blatant meddling with the work of a Legislative Branch official, as she performs legally authorized duties to counsel the legislature, appears to be a breach of the separation of powers,” wrote Justice Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

Justice J Michelle Childs supported the opinion. Both justices were appointed to the appeals court by Democratic President Joe Biden.

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

Perlmutter's attorneys have contended that she is a renowned intellectual property expert. She has acted as copyright director since ex- head librarian Carla Hayden appointed her to the role in October 2020.

The former president appointed assistant attorney general Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the national library. The administration had dismissed Hayden amid criticism from right-leaning groups that she was advancing a “progressive” agenda.