WASHINGTON — President-Elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Judith Sheindlin to be the nation’s 113th Supreme Court justice, choosing a centrist reality television judge who could reshape the court for a generation and become the face of a bitter election-year confirmation struggle.
"I've been watching Judge Judy on TV for years", Trump said, "she is really fast. She runs her court like a McDonald's. Get them in and out in ten minutes or less. It will really speed things up. Those judges we have on the court now are so slow and incompetent. Judge Judy is great. It's going to be be great."
The nomination to fill the seat on the court created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia sets in motion a standoff that is likely to play out for many months, perhaps without resolution. Its outcome could tip the ideological balance of the nation’s highest court, and leave a large hole in the daytime reality show line ups.
President Obama made no official statement regarding Sheindlin's nomination, but The White house released a one word statement to Fox News. It said, "Seriously?"
Ben Carson, tapped as new head of Housing and urban development praised the pick. "I think it's very wise that President Elect Trump finally appointed some one to a position they actually know something about. I've not met Judge Judy but I've watched her for years and she is really really smart. One time this girl's puppy peed on her boyfriend's couch and she made her pay for it. She is really tough and kind of scares me. I sure wouldn't let my puppy pee on her couch."
Judy Sheindlin was born on October 21, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, USA as Judith Blum. She is a writer, known for Judge Judy (1996), Judge Judy: Justice Served (2007) and CHiPs '99 (1998). She was previously married to Jerry Sheindlin and Ronald Levy.
After nearly 25 years in New York’s Family Court, Judge Sheindlin retired from the bench in 1996 to start the syndicated program that bears her name.
Judge Sheindlin began her career in family court in 1972. In 1982, then New York Mayor Edward Koch appointed her to the bench. In 1986, she was appointed the Supervising Judge in Manhattan’s Family Court. She heard more than 20,000 cases during her career. She was tapped to teach all newly elected and appointed Family Court Judges for almost a decade. In the family court she earned a reputation as one of New York’s most effective judges. Judge Sheindlin is credited with pioneering an “open court policy,” allowing the public and the media to view the family court process.
Judge Sheindlin was the subject of a Los Angeles Times article in February 1993. The story caught the attention of “60 Minutes,” which soon led to a segment on the iconic news magazine.
After her appearance, she was approached about the possibility of presiding over cases on a television program. JUDGE JUDY premiered in national syndication on September 16, 1996.
In 1995, Judge Sheindlin published her first book, “Don’t Pee On My Leg and Tell Me It’s Raining,” in which she offers her insight into how and why the family court fails in its mission to impact shattered families. “Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever,” her second book, was published in January 1999. A New York Times best seller, the book challenges women to be the best they can be.
Trump promises that getting Judge Sheindlin confirmed will be one of his first priorities when taking office in January. Judge Judy could not be reached for comment.