Judge Judy: ‘It’s gonna take a lot more than Ana Navarro to shut me up’

Judge Judy Sheindlin is standing by her remarks that Americans who dislike the country should “go somewhere else,” saying critics ignored her point that America can be improved but should not be dismantled.

In a new interview with Fox News Digital, the television judge said she never called the country perfect. “There’s nothing wrong with tweaking this country,” she said, comparing America to a house that sometimes needs fresh paint or a new stove. “There’s a difference between tweaking your house and burning it down.”

The 83-year-old former family court judge set off the debate last month in an interview with USA Today. Her remarks came as CBS marked the 30th anniversary of “Judge Judy” with a primetime special. She called America “the greatest country in the world” and said people who dislike the country should “go somewhere else,” objecting to those who say they want to change it.

ABC’s “The View” later devoted a segment to the comments. Co-host Ana Navarro criticized the remarks on air, saying she hears similar lines on social media because she criticizes President Trump. “If you want things to change in the government, you stay, you fight, you vote, you organize,” Ms. Navarro said. Co-host Sunny Hostin said she heard “selfishness” in the comments, according to Fox News Digital’s account. Co-hosts Sara Haines and Alyssa Farah Griffin defended the judge, Fox reported.

Ms. Sheindlin said she did not understand Ms. Hostin’s response and takes anything Ms. Navarro says with “a grain of salt.” She also said she was misread when she said America was “my home,” arguing that she meant every American should feel that way.

The judge said she draws the line at abandoning the nation’s founding principles, citing capitalism specifically. “If you’re a capitalistic country, you’re not a socialistic country,” she said.

She said a “very vocal minority” responded to her with name-calling rather than engaging with her argument. She acknowledged that not every American feels the American Dream is within reach, calling that “an argument that I understand.” But she asked why she was being attacked for saying the country is great and should be tweaked rather than burned down.

“It’s gonna take a lot more than Ana Navarro to shut me up,” she said.

Ms. Sheindlin has announced plans to retire from on-camera courtroom television while continuing to work behind the scenes. Her son, Judge Adam Levy, hosts “Adam’s Law,” which premiered Sept. 14.