Trump Defends Firing Copyright Chief, Cites Presidential Power

The Trump administration fired back Monday against ousted Copyright Office chief Shira Perlmutter’s lawsuit, arguing her emergency request for reinstatement should be denied because the president has sweeping authority to remove her.

Perlmutter’s termination by President Donald Trump on May 10 was lawful, and his appointment of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as acting Librarian of Congress gives the administration clear authority over the Copyright Office, the Justice Department argued in a 31-page response. The administration’s core argument hinges on presidential firing powers, even when the positions under dispute are within the legislative branch.

“The Library of Congress is not ...