Nationally syndicated radio host Dana Loesch took time out on Saturday to offer a brief history lesson to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, mocking him for comparing the American Revolution to the French Revolution.

Blinken had offered a statement Friday in honor of Bastille Day — the day that French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison in 1789.

“The War of Independence and the French Revolution were fueled by the same aspirations for freedom, democracy, and human rights. Today, we are more committed than ever to defending them — together. Warmest wishes on Bastille Day to the people of France,” Blinken wrote.

The War of Independence and the French Revolution were fueled by the same aspirations for freedom, democracy, and human rights. Today, we are more committed than ever to defending them — together. Warmest wishes on Bastille Day to the people of France.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 14, 2023

Loesch was quick to respond, first simply wondering, “Are you historically illiterate?”

Our revolution, founded in the protection of individualism and freedom *from* is opposite the French Revolution which pushed freedom *to* and socialist subjugation. Tocqueville noted that freedom was no longer the main pursuit of the revolutionaries. It was so unsuccessful it was…

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) July 15, 2023

“Our revolution, founded in the protection of individualism and freedom *from* is opposite the French Revolution which pushed freedom *to* and socialist subjugation,” she explained. “Tocqueville noted that freedom was no longer the main pursuit of the revolutionaries. It was so unsuccessful it was followed by a dictator then the restoration of the monarchy. What an embarrassing tweet from a member of our government.”

And Loesch was far from the only person to notice the historical inaccuracy of Blinken’s statement.

“Both nations had revolutions at nearly the same time, that is true. The American Revolution started in 1776 and the French Revolution in 1789. In France, just 4 years later, collectivist ideologues who claimed that their science was superior to God-given wisdom usurped control of the country and proceeded to wreck every civic institution and overturn every social norm,” another commented. “Political opponents were hunted down and destroyed, and the power of the State was unleashed against its citizens, viciously crushing all dissent. No question or doubt was tolerated. In the United States, it took until 2020 to get there.”

Pedro Gonzales added, “The French Revolution launched the Reign of Terror that killed tens of thousands of people, often in the most gruesome ways. Simon Schama wrote in ‘Citizens’ that during the Vendéan massacre, ‘Every atrocity the time could imagine was meted out to the defenseless population. Women were routinely raped, children killed, both mutilated. . . . At Gonnord . . . two hundred old people, along with mothers and children, [were forced] to kneel in front of a large pit they had dug; they were then shot so as to tumble into their own grave. . . . Thirty children and two women were buried alive when earth was shoveled onto the pit.’ But Blinken isn’t wrong to praise the French Revolution because, in a sense, modern liberals like him are its heirs.”

The French Revolution launched the Reign of Terror that killed tens of thousands of people, often in the most gruesome ways. Simon Schama wrote in “Citizens” that during the Vendéan massacre, “Every atrocity the time could imagine was meted out to the defenseless population.… https://t.co/Q0xB8jvw7U

— Pedro L. Gonzalez (@emeriticus) July 15, 2023

Omri Ceren, national security adviser for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), pointed out, “It’s a small thing, but this is not the position of the State Dept. The State Dept. Office of the Historian notes that the Founders were so opposed to the French Revolution the Federalists legislated against it. This is what happens when you let children do social media.”

It's a small thing, but this is not the position of the State Dept.

The State Dept. Office of the Historian notes that the Founders were so opposed to the French Revolution the Federalists legislated against it.

This is what happens when you let children do social media. https://t.co/PaXL6IAFzQ

— Omri Ceren (@omriceren) July 15, 2023

A former member of ISIS who had lived in New York was sentenced to life in prison Friday following his conviction of supporting and recruiting for the radical Islamist group.

U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis sentenced Mirsad Kandic, a citizen of Kosovo, to life in prison Friday. According to the Department of Justice, Kandic was convicted of five substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS in the forms of personnel and one count of conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

“Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS who relished the death and destruction he wrought while providing every conceivable form of material support to a terrorist organization, including the recruitment of countless others to ISIS’s bloody campaigns in Syria and elsewhere,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and ensures that he will never again pose a threat to the United States or any of our allies. This Office will remain relentless in prosecuting terrorists who threaten the safety and security of the United States and U.S. interests around the world.” 

Kandic, who had lived in both Brooklyn and the Bronx, fought for ISIS, according to federal prosecutors. Additionally, prosecutors said that he recruited Jake Bilardi, an Australian teenager, who killed dozens in a suicide bombing. Kandic also helped gather weapons, military equipment, maps, money, and false identifications, for ISIS. 

“Serving ISIS’s deadly terror campaign, this defendant fought on the battlefield, spread propaganda, smuggled weapons, and radicalized Western recruits,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen. “The National Security Division was created to counter foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and, with our partners, we remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who provide support to such terrorist groups.”

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Kandic’s defense lawyer, David Stearn, asked the judge to demonstrate that “we have a shred of mercy for every human being and we believe in change.” Garafuis was unconvinced, pointing to the Kandic’s extreme actions. 

Homeland Security Investigations New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo thanked all of those involved in the operation. 

“Mirsad Kandic’s steadfast physical and material support of ISIS brought untold additional members into the organization, sowing death and destruction throughout ISIS territory and the world,” he said. “This investigation and successful prosecution were only possible through the close collaboration of U.S. and international partners working together to track down those who provide support to foreign terrorist organizations and bring them to justice.”