Federal Judge Rules Against Trump’s Firing of Copyright Office Head
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the fired head of the U.S. Copyright Office, Shira Perlmutter, failed to prove she would suffer irreparable harm if not reinstated. The decision, handed down on Wednesday, marks a significant legal win for President Donald Trump, who was criticized for the termination of Perlmutter and the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, over allegations of promoting DEI initiatives.
The ruling was part of a lawsuit Perlmutter filed against the Trump administration, which she argued had no authority to remove her. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly stated that she did not meet the legal standard to demonstrate that immediate reinstatement was necessary to prevent irreversible damage. This decision aligns with previous rulings that have supported the president’s administrative powers.
Perlmutter’s case is rooted in a dispute over the authority of the president to appoint and remove officials within the Library of Congress. She argued that Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, had the sole power to hire or fire the head of the U.S. Copyright Office. Trump had fired Hayden days earlier over allegations of her advocacy for DEI initiatives, which led to Perlmutter’s removal.
Trump’s legal team, represented by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, countered that the president had the right to appoint and remove the Librarian of Congress, as the position is part of the executive branch. However, legal experts have debated the extent of presidential authority over the Library of Congress, which has been a point of contention for years.
The controversy has sparked internal resistance within Trump’s party. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, according to Politico, have reportedly questioned the legality of Trump’s actions. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) has been a vocal opponent, criticizing the move as an ‘unprecedented power grab’ with no legal basis. Morelle suggested that Trump’s actions were prompted by Perlmutter’s refusal to support Elon Musk’s AI training initiatives.
While Perlmutter’s emergency request for reinstatement was denied, her legal battle continues. Judge Timothy Kelly has indicated that hearings will take place in the coming weeks. This case has drawn significant attention, as it raises critical questions about the balance between executive power and institutional autonomy, with potential implications for U.S. governance and policy-making.