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The ex- leader's government on Monday petitioned the US Supreme Court to allow the removal of the head of the American copyright authority.

This urgent request comes about six weeks after a federal appellate court in Washington decided that the official, Shira Perlmutter, cannot be solely dismissed.

Almost one month ago, the full District of Columbia circuit court refused to review that ruling.

This legal matter is the most recent in a line of disputes concerning presidential power to appoint chosen leaders at federal offices.

The Supreme Court has generally allowed such dismissals, even as court disputes proceed.

However, this specific case involves an bureau inside the national library. Perlmutter serves as the copyright registrar and also advises Congress on intellectual property issues.

The solicitor general, D John Sauer, stated in the legal document that, despite connections to the legislative branch, the register “exercises executive authority” in overseeing intellectual property rights.

Perlmutter alleges she was fired in May because the ex-leader disapproved with advice she gave to lawmakers in a report concerning AI.

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 job while the legal dispute proceeds.

“The Executive's alleged blatant interference with the work of a congressional officer, as she performs legally approved duties to counsel the legislature, appears to be a breach of the division of government authority,” wrote Judge Florence Pan for the appellate panel.

Judge J Michelle Childs joined the ruling. Both justices were appointed to the appeals court by Democratic leader Joe Biden.

In dissent, Justice Justin Walker, a former president's nominee, wrote that Perlmutter “uses executive power in a host of ways.”

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

The ex-leader named deputy 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.