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A federal judge has declined to reinstate Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights after her dismissal by the Trump administration, marking an early legal setback in her challenge against the firing.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that Perlmutter did not demonstrate the immediate and irreparable harm necessary to justify a temporary restraining order. Perlmutter, who was appointed in 2020 by then-Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, contends that only the Librarian has the authority to appoint or remove the Register, not the President.
The Trump administration argues that the Library of Congress falls under executive control, allowing the President to make such appointments under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. Perlmutter’s lawsuit names Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, whom Trump designated as Acting Librarian of Congress following Hayden’s removal, as a defendant.
Perlmutter’s dismissal came shortly after the Copyright Office released a report questioning the legality of using copyrighted materials to train AI systems, a move that may have influenced her termination. Her firing, along with Hayden’s, has drawn criticism from lawmakers who argue that the Library of Congress is a legislative branch agency and should remain independent of executive influence.
While the court denied immediate relief, the case is ongoing. Judge Kelly has requested a proposed schedule for further proceedings, including the possibility of a preliminary injunction. The outcome could have broader implications for the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
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