Trump’s Ex-Copyright Chief Loses Bid to Regain Her Old Job

Former Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter couldn’t convince a district court to reinstate her to her post.

Perlmutter failed to show Timothy J. Kelly that she or Library of Congress or the Copyright Office faces irreparable harm as a result of her firing, according to a memorandum opinion issued Wednesday. Kelly denied her motion for a preliminary injunction in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

“Perlmutter’s asserted inability to do that job temporarily while this lawsuit proceeds is not enough to show irreparable harm,” Kelly said.

Democracy Forward Foundation and Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP represent Perlmutter. The Justice Department represents President Donald J. Trump and other defendants.

The case is Perlmutter v. Blanche, D.D.C., No. 1:25-cv-01659, order 7/30/25.