Case: Perlmutter v. Blanche

1:25-cv-01659 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: May 22, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenges the removal of Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office by President Trump and Todd Blanche, the Deputy Attorney General purportedly acting as Librarian of Congress. On May 8, 2025, President Trump removed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, subsequently appointing Blanche as acting Librarian, an action Plaintiff alleges lacks statutory and constitutional authority. On May 10, 2025, the Trump administration informed Perlmutter of …

This case challenges the removal of Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office by President Trump and Todd Blanche, the Deputy Attorney General purportedly acting as Librarian of Congress. On May 8, 2025, President Trump removed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, subsequently appointing Blanche as acting Librarian, an action Plaintiff alleges lacks statutory and constitutional authority. On May 10, 2025, the Trump administration informed Perlmutter of her immediate removal, purporting to replace her with Paul Perkins, an associate of Blanche.

Perlmutter sued in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on May 22, 2025, represented by Democracy Forward Foundation and Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP. She alleged that the President’s removal of the Librarian and Blanche’s subsequent appointment violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (FVRA), which does not grant the President authority to designate acting officials for legislative entities like the Library of Congress, and the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. The complaint asserts that only the Librarian of Congress can appoint or remove the Register.

This case was assigned to Judge Timothy J. Kelly.

On May 22, 2025, Perlmutter filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) seeking to prevent her removal and reinstate her as Register. On May 28, 2025, the court denied the TRO, concluding that Perlmutter had not demonstrated irreparable harm. On June 10, 2025, Perlmutter filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, emphasizing significant harm to herself, the Copyright Office, and the Library of Congress, including loss of her statutory right to function, inability to perform critical statutory duties, and institutional harm threatening the non-partisan credibility of the Office and Library.

The case remains ongoing, with a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for mid-July 2025.

Summary Authors

Scott Shuchart (5/26/2025)

Brian Chen (6/11/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70345542/parties/perlmutter-v-blanche/


Judge(s)

Kelly, Timothy James (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Jr, Donald Beaton (District of Columbia)

Mohammadi, Adeel (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Hall, Christopher R. (District of Columbia)

Hayes, Benjamin (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-01659

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Complaint
2

1:25-cv-01659

Plaintiff Shira Perlmutter's Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
16

1:25-cv-01659

Motion to Enter a Briefing Schedule

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
24

1:25-cv-01659

Plaintiff Shira Perlmutter's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70345542/perlmutter-v-blanche/

Last updated July 16, 2025, 10:32 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against TODD BLANCHE, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, SERGIO GOR, TRENT MORSE, PAUL PERKINS, DONALD J. TRUMP ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11709767) filed by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons)(Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Summons

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3 Summons

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4 Summons

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5 Summons

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6 Summons

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7 Summons

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8 Summons

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9 Summons

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May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Clearinghouse

Case Assigned/Reassigned

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

PACER
2

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Declaration, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit)(Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

1 Memorandum in Support

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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3 Declaration

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4 Exhibit

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5 Exhibit

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May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Clearinghouse
3

NOTICE of Appearance by Allyson Scher on behalf of SHIRA PERLMUTTER (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Brian D. Netter on behalf of SHIRA PERLMUTTER (Netter, Brian) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned to Judge Timothy J. Kelly. (zjd)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

PACER
5

SUMMONS (8) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmw) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

1 Notice and Consent

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May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

RECAP

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

PACER
6

STANDING ORDER. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/23/2025. (lctjk2) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: In light of Plaintiff's 2 Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants shall file their opposition by May 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.; Plaintiff shall file her reply by May 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.; and the parties shall appear for a hearing on Plaintiff's 2 Motion on May 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom 11. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/23/2025. (lctjk2)

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

PACER
7

Memorandum in opposition to re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by TODD BLANCHE, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, SERGIO GOR, TRENT MORSE, PAUL PERKINS, DONALD J. TRUMP. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Hall, Christopher) (Entered: 05/26/2025)

1 Exhibit

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May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

RECAP
13

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Miranda E. Rehaut, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11717140. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Miranda E. Rehaut, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Verrilli, Donald) (Entered: 05/27/2025)

1 Declaration of Miranda E. Rehaut

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

PACER
12

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Kuruvilla J. Olasa, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11717136. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Kuruvilla J. Olasa, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Verrilli, Donald) (Entered: 05/27/2025)

1 Declaration of Kuruvilla J. Olasa

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

PACER
11

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- James R. Salzmann, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11717134. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration James R. Salzmann, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Verrilli, Donald) (Entered: 05/27/2025)

1 Declaration James R. Salzmann

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

PACER
10

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Adeel Mohammadi, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11717117. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Adeel Mohammadi, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Verrilli, Donald) (Entered: 05/27/2025)

1 Declaration of Adeel Mohammadi

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

PACER
9

REPLY to opposition to motion re 2 Motion for TRO filed by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 05/27/2025)

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

RECAP
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin Hayes on behalf of All Defendants (Hayes, Benjamin) (Entered: 05/27/2025)

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

PACER
14

NOTICE of Appearance by Stanley Edmund Woodward, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Woodward, Stanley) (Entered: 05/28/2025)

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

PACER

Motion Hearing AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

PACER

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

PACER

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Timothy J. Kelly: TRO Motion Hearing held on 5/28/2025. For the reasons stated on the record, Plaintiff's 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order heard, and DENIED. A Proposed Briefing Schedule for Preliminary Injunction, if warranted, due by 5/29/2025 at 5:00PM. (Court Reporter: Chandra Kean) (zkh)

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

PACER

Order

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

PACER

Motion Hearing

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: For the reasons explained on the record today, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff's 2 Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order is DENIED. It is further ORDERED that, should Plaintiff intend to move for a preliminary injunction, the parties shall meet, confer, and submit a joint proposed briefing schedule for the motion by May 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/28/2025. (lctjk2)

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting Plaintiff's 10 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Adeel Mohammadi is hereby admitted pro hac vice on behalf of Plaintiff. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/29/2025. (lctjk2)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER
15

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS (TRO) before Judge Timothy J. Kelly held on May 29, 2025; Page Numbers: 1-63. Date of Issuance: May 29, 2025. Court Reporter/Transcriber Chandra Kean, RMR, Telephone number 202-354-3404. Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order FormFor the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter.NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 6/19/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 6/29/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 8/27/2025.(Kean, Chandra) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting Plaintiff's 11 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice. Attorney James R. Salzmann is hereby admitted pro hac vice on behalf of Plaintiff. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/29/2025. (lctjk2)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting Plaintiff's 12 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Kuruvilla J. Olasa is hereby admitted pro hac vice on behalf of Plaintiff. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/29/2025. (lctjk2)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting Plaintiff's 13 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Miranda E. Rehaut is hereby admitted pro hac vice on behalf of Plaintiff. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/29/2025. (lctjk2)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER
16

MOTION for Briefing Schedule by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Clearinghouse
17

ENTERED IN ERROR.....NOTICE of Appearance by Miranda E. Rehaut on behalf of SHIRA PERLMUTTER (Rehaut, Miranda) Modified on 5/30/2025; refiled as docket entry 19 (znmw). (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER
18

NOTICE of Appearance by Kuruvilla Joseph Olasa on behalf of SHIRA PERLMUTTER (Olasa, Kuruvilla) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

PACER
19

NOTICE of Appearance by Miranda E. Rehaut on behalf of SHIRA PERLMUTTER (Rehaut, Miranda) Modified event title on 5/30/2025 (znmw). (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

RECAP

Order

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

PACER

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

PACER
20

RESPONSE re 16 MOTION for Briefing Schedule Opposition filed by TODD BLANCHE, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, SERGIO GOR, TRENT MORSE, PAUL PERKINS, DONALD J. TRUMP. (Hayes, Benjamin) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

RECAP
21

NOTICE of Appearance by James Salzmann on behalf of SHIRA PERLMUTTER (Salzmann, James) (Main Document 21 replaced on 6/2/2025) (znmw). (Entered: 05/30/2025)

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

RECAP

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Plaintiff's 16 Motion to Enter a Briefing Schedule and Defendants' 20 Opposition, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a status conference on June 3, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. to be held via videoconference. The parties shall contact the Courtroom Deputy at (202) 354-3495 at least one business day before the hearing to make arrangements to participate. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 5/30/2025. (lctjk2)

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

PACER

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Timothy J. Kelly: Status Conference held on 6/3/2025. Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 6/4/2025. (Court Reporter: Chandra Kean) (zkh)

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

PACER

Status Conference

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

PACER

Status Conference AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

PACER
22

NOTICE of Appearance by Adeel Mohammadi on behalf of SHIRA PERLMUTTER (Mohammadi, Adeel) (Entered: 06/03/2025)

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

RECAP
23

Joint STATUS REPORT by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/04/2025)

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

RECAP

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

PACER

Order

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the following schedule shall govern preliminary-injunction briefing in this case: Plaintiff shall file her motion for preliminary injunction by June 10, 2025; Defendants shall file their opposition by June 24, 2025; and Plaintiff shall file her reply by July 1, 2025. The Court will determine whether a hearing is necessary at a later time. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 6/4/2025. (lctjk2)

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

PACER
24

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Memorandum, # 3 Declaration, # 4 Ex. A, # 5 Ex. B)(Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/10/2025)

1 Proposed Order

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2 Memorandum

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3 Declaration

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4 Ex. A

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5 Ex. B

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June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

Clearinghouse
25

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT served on 6/18/2025 (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

RECAP
26

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. TODD BLANCHE served on 6/13/2025 (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
27

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. SERGIO GOR served on 6/18/2025 (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
28

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. TRENT MORSE served on 6/18/2025 (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
29

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. PAUL PERKINS served on 6/18/2025 (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
30

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DONALD J. TRUMP served on 6/18/2025 (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
31

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 6/18/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 8/17/2025. (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
32

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 6/13/2025. (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
33

Memorandum in opposition to re 24 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by TODD BLANCHE, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, SERGIO GOR, TRENT MORSE, PAUL PERKINS, DONALD J. TRUMP. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A)(Hayes, Benjamin) (Entered: 06/24/2025)

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

RECAP
34

REPLY to opposition to motion re 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by SHIRA PERLMUTTER. (Scher, Allyson) (Entered: 07/01/2025)

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

RECAP

Case Details