🔗 Share this article Former President Trump's Team Asks Supreme Court Approval to Dismiss Leading Copyright Director The former president's government on Monday requested the US Supreme Court to permit the termination of the head of the American copyright authority. This emergency appeal follows roughly a month and a half after a national appeals court in Washington ruled that the director, Shira Perlmutter, cannot be unilaterally dismissed. Nearly one month prior, the entire District of Columbia appeals court refused to reconsider that ruling. This case is the most recent in a line of cases concerning presidential power to place preferred leaders at federal agencies. The High Court has generally allowed such dismissals, even as court challenges continue. However, this specific matter involves an bureau within the Library of Congress. Perlmutter acts as the copyright registrar and also counsels Congress on intellectual property matters. The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the legal document that, regardless of ties to Congress, the register “wields executive power” in overseeing intellectual property rights. Perlmutter claims she was terminated in May because the ex-leader disagreed with recommendations she gave to Congress in a report related to artificial intelligence. She allegedly received an message from the administration informing her that her role was “ended effective immediately,” as stated by her staff. A split appellate group ruled that Perlmutter could keep her position while the case moves forward. “The administration's claimed blatant interference with the work of a Legislative Branch official, as she carries out legally authorized duties to counsel Congress, strikes us as a violation of the division of government authority,” wrote Justice Florence Pan for the appellate panel. Justice J Michelle Childs supported the ruling. Both justices were nominated to the appeals court by Democrat President Joe Biden. In dissent, Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, wrote that Perlmutter “exercises executive authority in a host of manners.” Perlmutter's attorneys have contended that she is a renowned intellectual property specialist. She has acted as register of copyrights since former librarian of Congress Carla Hayden selected 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 administration had dismissed Hayden following complaints from conservatives that she was advancing a “woke” agenda.