US declares administrative law judge removal rules unconstitutional

WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has determined that multiple layers of removal restrictions shielding administrative law judges are unconstitutional, a top department official said on Thursday.

Chad Mizelle, the department's chief of staff, called the administrative law judges, who preside over administrative disputes in the federal government, "unelected and constitutionally unaccountable."

"In accordance with Supreme Court precedent, the Department is restoring constitutional accountability so that Executive Branch officials answer to the President and to the people," Mizelle said in a statement.