Former U.S. Copyright Office Director Shira Perlmutter has filed a lawsuit challenging her termination by the Trump administration, claiming the president overstepped his constitutional authority in removing her from office.

At a Glance

• Shira Perlmutter, recently terminated Copyright Office Register, has sued President Trump and the acting Librarian of Congress
• She is seeking an emergency injunction to block her removal from the position
• Perlmutter claims her termination was “blatantly unlawful” as only the Librarian of Congress has authority to remove her
• The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• Her firing on May 10 came shortly after the dismissal of her former boss, the Librarian of Congress

Constitutional Challenge to Presidential Authority

Shira Perlmutter, who until recently served as the Register of Copyrights, is taking legal action against President Donald Trump and other officials following her May 10 termination. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks an emergency injunction that would block her removal from the position she has held since 2020. This case represents a significant challenge to the scope of presidential authority over certain federal positions.

At the center of the dispute is Perlmutter’s claim that the president lacks the legal authority to dismiss her. According to the lawsuit, the power to appoint and remove the Register of Copyrights rests solely with the Librarian of Congress, not with the president directly. The timing is particularly noteworthy as Perlmutter’s termination came shortly after the firing of her former boss, the Librarian of Congress, suggesting a broader effort to reshape leadership across cultural institutions.

The U.S. Copyright Office director fired by the Trump administration sued President Trump and other government officials on Thursday, arguing her firing was unconstitutional and should not be allowed to take effect.

Shira Perlmutter said in the lawsuit that her termination by… pic.twitter.com/zBPutlnLCj

— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) May 23, 2025

Legal Arguments and Implications

Perlmutter’s legal team has characterized her dismissal as exceeding presidential authority and violating established procedures. The lawsuit hinges on specific statutory provisions that govern the Copyright Office’s relationship with the Library of Congress rather than with the executive branch directly. If successful, this case could potentially restrict presidential removal powers and reinforce institutional independence for certain government positions.

The complaint specifically addresses the chain of command question, arguing that Congress deliberately structured the Copyright Office to operate under the Library of Congress rather than directly under presidential control. This organizational structure, Perlmutter contends, means that only the Librarian of Congress has the authority to terminate her position. The case will likely explore the boundaries between executive power and congressionally-created positions with specialized governance structures.

Broader Context of Administrative Changes

Perlmutter’s termination appears to be part of a larger wave of personnel changes within federal cultural institutions since the Trump administration took office. The Copyright Office plays a crucial role in American intellectual property protection, overseeing copyright registrations worth billions in creative industries from publishing to entertainment. Any disruption in leadership raises questions about policy continuity in these economically significant sectors.

The case has drawn attention from legal scholars who see it as potentially setting precedent regarding presidential removal powers. The outcome could influence similar disputes across other semi-independent agencies and offices where the lines of authority between the president and agency leadership remain contested. Court watchers note that a ruling in Perlmutter’s favor would reinforce structural limits on executive authority over specialized government functions.

As the litigation proceeds, the Copyright Office continues to operate under interim leadership. The court’s decision on the emergency injunction will determine whether Perlmutter returns to her position while the broader constitutional questions undergo full legal examination. The case highlights ongoing tensions between presidential authority and the independence of federal institutions designed to operate with specialized expertise separate from political influence.