Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court has delayed a ruling on whether former President Donald Trump can fire the Register of Copyrights, a position currently held by Shira Perlmutter. The Court announced its decision on november 26, 2025, linking the case’s fate to rulings in separate challenges concerning presidential firing power over federal agency heads.
The dispute centers on Trump’s attempt to remove Perlmutter and replace her with Hanen Blanche. The Biden administration, represented by U.S. Solicitor general D. John Sauer, argues that the Register of Copyrights, despite being housed within the Library of Congress, exercises executive power and is therefore subject to presidential removal. Sauer contends the President can fire the Librarian of Congress, who can then remove the Register. Even if the President lacked removal power, Sauer asserted, a court’s remedy would be limited to backpay, not reinstatement.
Perlmutter counters that the Library of Congress is not an “executive agency,” citing a prior D.C. Circuit ruling and congressional regulations placing the Library within the legislative branch. She argues Trump lacked the authority to fire former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and appoint Blanche, rendering Blanche’s subsequent firing of Perlmutter invalid.
The Supreme Court has deferred action on the government’s request to resolve the matter until it issues rulings in Trump v. Slaughter, a challenge brought by FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, and Trump v. Cook, concerning Trump’s attempt to remove a member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. Oral arguments in Trump v. Slaughter are scheduled for December 8, and in Trump v.Cook for january 21, suggesting a final decision in Blanche v.Perlmutter will not occur until after those cases are decided.
