Judge Judy Sheindlin is standing firmly behind her praise for America and has a blunt message for people who want to fundamentally change the country.
In comments to USA Today, Sheindlin, 83, described America as both her home and the greatest country in the world.
The interview covered her views on the nation as well as the lasting popularity of the commanding courtroom television persona that made her an enduring TV figure.
Sheindlin made clear that her affection for the country is rooted in her own experience.
“I have a house, and I have a home. I consider America my home. America has been good to me. I think that it’s the greatest country in the world,” Sheindlin said.
Sheindlin sharpened the point when discussing those who dislike the country or want it to become something different.
“If you don’t like this country, go somewhere else,” she continued.
“Don’t come to the greatest country in the world, the most successful country in the world, and say, ‘I want to change it.’ There are other countries that are the something else that you want. Go there. Go there. But don’t come into my home and say, ‘I want to change it.’”
Sheindlin also pointed to the economic principles and values that she believes have helped define America.
Her remarks centered on capitalism, achievement and the freedom to build something through individual initiative.
“We are a capitalist country that revered excellence, that revered entrepreneurship, that revered all the things that made us great,” she added.
“Whether you like it or not, it’s there.”
Her comments arrived as CBS marked the 30th anniversary of “Judge Judy” with the prime time special “Judge Judy: Unfiltered, Unforgettable.”
The celebration highlighted the television program that cemented Sheindlin’s reputation for direct judgments and an insistence on personal responsibility.
Sheindlin also addressed nostalgia for an earlier period in American life.
She suggested that many people are longing for qualities associated with the 1950s, including greater order, common decency and accountability for personal conduct.
“I think in the middle of this country, there are more people who long for the 1950s than long for the 2030s,” she says.
“They long for a time when people respected each other.”
Sheindlin linked that longing to what she sees in current public life and in strained personal relationships.
“You can’t pick up a paper without seeing violence and hate speech and antisemitism and racism and cruelty and beheadings,” she continues.
“People can’t even get together with their families anymore, because you have one section of the family that is more liberal, one is more conservative. They can’t even talk to each other with civility.”
Her concerns about social conduct also echo the explanation she has given for the continuing appeal of her courtroom programs.
Sheindlin previously characterized that appeal as a reflection of what viewers want to experience in their own communities and daily lives.
“People are frustrated in the same way they were 30 years ago,” she recently told W Magazine.
“They like rules, law, order, and personal responsibility.”
She expanded on that idea with a familiar example involving neighbors and boundaries.
“They like their neighbors to be nice and quiet, to keep their cats on their own property,” she added.
“There are reasons for bad behavior, but there are never excuses for bad behavior if it affects someone else.”
WATCH:
🔥 HOLY MIC DROP.
Judge Judy just dropped the hammer on those who constantly trash America while living here.
“If you don’t like this country, go somewhere else. Don’t come to the greatest country in the world, the most successful country in the world and say, ‘I want to change… pic.twitter.com/KL6pWu0edP [1]
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) September 22, 2026 [2]
That view has remained central to the straightforward courtroom approach associated with Sheindlin across decades on television.
The original “Judge Judy” premiered in 1996 and continued for 25 seasons before ending in 2021.
Sheindlin later launched “Judy Justice,” which is set to conclude in October.
Her son, Judge Adam Levy, is carrying on the family courtroom tradition with his own series, “Adam’s Law.”
Sheindlin also served as a producer on that program.
Although Sheindlin has said she plans to step away from appearing on camera, she does not intend to leave television work completely.
She plans to continue contributing behind the scenes after decades in the industry.