An explosive diarrhea epidemic strikes Taco Bell customers as federal officials finally trace the parasite nightmare to contaminated iceberg lettuce from a repeat-offender supplier.

Late Thursday, the CDC and FDA issued an urgent, multi-state warning to consumers: DO NOT EAT shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations.

What started as a creeping health crisis has exploded into a full-blown national disaster, leaving an unbelievable 1,644 people infected with a horrific, explosive diarrhea-causing parasite known as Cyclospora.

According to the FDA: 

Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea, with frequent, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache fever may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms.

If not treated, the illness may lead to dehydration and severe complications that may require higher levels of care. These complications may last from a few days to a month or longer.

Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse). Immunocompromised persons may experience more severe illness of longer duration along with complications requiring close medical attention.

According to official reports, at least 94 people have been hospitalized after consuming the tainted food. The outbreak is currently hammering five primary states, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, with local data suggesting the true scale of the crisis could involve thousands more across up to 38 states.

And where is this toxic produce coming from? The FDA has officially traced the contaminated iceberg lettuce back to Mexico.

Taco Bell issued a statement on July 16 announcing it was immediately and voluntarily removing potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states and then pulling all iceberg lettuce from its nationwide supply chain, replacing it within 24 hours. The company said the health and safety of guests is its top priority.

The supplier at the center of this nightmare is reportedly Taylor Farms, a massive agricultural conglomerate that has been repeatedly tied to major foodborne outbreaks in the past, including a notorious 2024 E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s onions and a 2013 parasite outbreak, according to PBS.

The post Taco Bell Ditches Lettuce Nationwide After Massive Multi-State Outbreak — FDA Traces Illnesses to Supplier from MEXICO as More Than 1,600 Fall Sick and 90+ Hospitalized appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

An Aurora, Colorado, ICE detention worker was arrested on Thursday night on suspicion of attempted murder after he shot an injured a female protestor.

Brandon Booth, 42, was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder and assault after he shot a female protestor.

According to Aurora Police, two female protestors initiated a verbal confrontation and took photos of the ICE employees’ vehicles parked outside of the facility.

“An initial investigation revealed that the women were part of a protest occurring near the Aurora ICE Processing Center earlier that evening. Booth was waiting in his vehicle along Nome Street with other employees due to the protest impeding their ability to gain access to the facility for their work shifts. The two women initiated a verbal confrontation and took pictures of the employees’ vehicles before walking away,” Aurora Police said.

“At that point, Booth retrieved his personally owned pistol and fired a single shot in their direction, striking one of the women on her lower body. Booth then got into his vehicle and drove out of the area before he was detained,” police said.

Booth is employed by contractor GEO Group.

Press release for Aurora Police Department:

A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that left a woman injured Thursday night.

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. on July 16, 2026, the Aurora Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the 3100 block of N. Nome Street. Responding officers found two women, one of whom had suffered a gunshot wound to her lower body. The other woman was unharmed.

Additional officers in the area stopped a man in a vehicle a short distance away. The vehicle with the gun inside was subsequently seized. The driver, identified as 42-year-old GEO Group employee Brandon Booth, was detained.

An initial investigation revealed that the women were part of a protest occurring near the Aurora ICE Processing Center earlier that evening. Booth was waiting in his vehicle along Nome Street with other employees due to the protest impeding their ability to gain access to the facility for their work shifts. The two women initiated a verbal confrontation and took pictures of the employees’ vehicles before walking away.

At that point, Booth retrieved his personally owned pistol and fired a single shot in their direction, striking one of the women on her lower body. Booth then got into his vehicle and drove out of the area before he was detained.

Detectives from the Aurora Police Department’s Violent Crimes Section responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. Booth was subsequently arrested and booked on probable cause of attempted second-degree murder, first degree assault, attempted first degree assault, felony menacing, and unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon.

The woman who was shot was transported to the hospital and treated for her injuries, which are believed to be non-life threatening.

“This is a tragedy on all fronts, and the Aurora Police Department will investigate this incident with the same commitment to transparency and integrity as we do all shootings,” said Aurora Chief of Police Todd Chamberlain. “We remain committed to ensuring an ethical, thorough, objective, and comprehensive review of this case. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated in Aurora. Constitutional rights are a pivotal part of a just society – violence is not.”

This case remains under active investigation. Any decisions regarding the formal filing of criminal charges will be made by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Anyone with any additional information about this incident, including any footage, is asked to please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

NEWS RELEASE: A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that left a woman injured Thursday night.

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. on July 16, 2026, the Aurora Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the 3100 block of N. Nome Street. Responding officers… pic.twitter.com/AqCgVsUpiV

— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) July 17, 2026

The post JUST IN: Colorado ICE Detention Center Worker Arrested on Attempted Second-Degree Murder Charge for Shooting Protestor Blocking Access to Facility appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Democrats are on the receiving end of a viral punchline after the restaurant chain Olive Garden shared the rules of its ‘Never-Ending Pasta Pass.’

The pass allows customers unlimited meals, but only if the passholder presents a valid photo ID that matches the name printed on the pass when ordering.

They shared on X, “No. The Never-Ending Pasta Pass is only for use by the Passholder whose name is printed on the Pass. Passes are personalized and non-transferable.”

“Passholders must present a valid photo I.D. along with the Pass at the time of ordering.”

No. The Never-Ending Pasta Pass is only for use by the Passholder whose name is printed on the Pass. Passes are personalized and non-transferable. Passholders must present a valid photo I.D. along with the Pass at the time of ordering.

— Olive Garden (@olivegarden) July 16, 2026

Conservatives were quick to mock Democrats for the rule, which is stricter than voting requirements in some blue states. and cities.

On X, Robby Starbuck said, “Olive Garden requires ID to use their never ending pasta pass but most Democrat run states don’t require your ID to vote.”

“So in America, our pasta deals are literally more secure than our elections.”

“Maddening and hilarious at the same time.”

Olive Garden requires ID to use their never ending pasta pass but most Democrat run states don’t require your ID to vote. So in America, our pasta deals are literally more secure than our elections. Maddening and hilarious at the same time. https://t.co/nCuyCpVleD

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) July 17, 2026

PragerU’s X account noted, “Olive Garden has a more secure process than our election system.”

Olive Garden has a more secure process than our election system

— PragerU (@prageru) July 17, 2026

Conservative activist Scott Pressler quipped, “Olive Garden implemented the SAVE America Act more quickly than the US Senate.”

Olive Garden implemented the SAVE America Act more quickly than the US Senate.

— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) July 17, 2026

Hayley Caronia asked, “What if I gave birth at an Olive Garden location? Is my baby entitled to a never-ending pasta pass?”

What if I gave birth at an Olive Garden location? Is my baby entitled to a never-ending pasta pass? https://t.co/OCRCcMX2wG

— Hayley Caronia (@hayleycaronia) July 17, 2026

On Thursday evening, President Trump addressed the nation. In addition to the massive Chinese voter data breach, affecting 220 million US voters, China’s massive influence campaign on media and business leaders, manipulation of voting machines, and a complicit deep state intelligence community, Trump announced the results of a Department of Homeland Security investigation into states’ voter rolls.

He shared that 278,000 illegal voters have been discovered on state voter rolls, but the number is “actually much higher than that,” noting that Democratic states refused to comply with DHS’s investigation.

According to a public report from DHS, the 278,000 illegal voters were found across just four states that provided the public data files to federal officials.

DHS has also found over 400,000 deceased registrants and over 28,000 non-citizens across states that shared their election files with the Department.

WATCH: Trump Announces Release of DHS Investigation Showing Nearly 300,000 Foreigners Are Illegally Registered to Vote – DHS Says They Found 400,000 DEAD Voters

The post Democrats Mocked After Olive Garden’s ID Policy Goes Viral- Stricter Than Some Blue State Voter Requirements-‘Pasta Deals Are Literally More Secure Than Our Elections’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

DHS Secretary and former Senator Markwayne Mullin on Friday defended RINO Senate Leader John Thune’s refusal to terminate the Senate filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act. 

“John is a good friend of mine,” Mullin said before defending him while noting that he doesn’t believe there are talks about removing Thune from Senate Leadership.

During a press conference on the massive voter fraud that Trump revealed last night in an address to the nation, Mullin was asked by Real America’s Voice’s Neil McCabe if there are talks amongst Republican Senators if Thune refuses or can’t figure out how to pass the SAVE America Act.

This comes as the Department of Homeland Security reveals that nearly 300,000 foreigners are illegally registered to vote in only a handful of states that shared data with the federal government, making the voter ID bill even more critical.

“I think the Save Act should be passed tomorrow. I think it should have already been passed. There’s no excuse for it not being passed,” Mullin responded before making an excuse for Thune’s lack of leadership.

“However, he has a vote problem. There’s a number. Leader Thune supports the Save Act,” Mullin said.

He went on to note that the Senate only had 49 votes the last time that the SAVE Act was voted on, adding, “Even if we did away with the filibuster, it still requires 51.”

This means just one vote would be needed to reach 50, and JD Vance could come in as the tiebreaker. But Thune refuses to whip up the votes.

President Trump has previously called Thune out for being a weak leader and “playing it too soft.”

“He’s only a couple of votes short, but that’s what being a leader is,” Trump said of Thune’s claim that he doesn’t have the votes to nuke the filibuster in March. “That’s part of being a leader. You have to get the votes.”

Still, Mullin claimed, “I know Leader Thune is working hard on that, but he’s got a very very difficult task ahead.”

Mullin: I haven’t heard that at all from the Senate saying they’re going, they’re willing to vote John out. John is a good friend of mine. He’s a good friend of most people in there. Now there’s a difference of opinion. I think the Save Act should be passed tomorrow. I think it should have already been passed. There’s no excuse for it not being passed.

However, he has a vote problem. There’s a number. Leader Thune supports the Save Act. He voted for the Save Act when it came up during the votorama, except everybody controls their own card, and even I think the last time the vote came up, there was 49 that voted. Even if we did away with the filibuster, it still requires 51. So, I know Leader Thune is working hard on that, but he’s got a very very difficult task ahead.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Thune told reporters that he doesn’t think the SAVE America Act will pass in the Senate on Wednesday, the same day the House passed the legislation for a third time. He blamed Democrats for his refusal to take the action necessary.

MORE:

WATCH: RINO John Thune Says SAVE America Act Won’t Pass, Claims He’s “Willing to do Just About Anything” While Refusing to Nuke Filibuster – Blames Democrats Instead

The post WATCH: Markwayne Mullin Defends RINO John Thune, Says Senate Doesn’t Have Enough Votes to Terminate Filibuster appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The anti-gun agenda suffered a major legal defeat on Friday after the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that New Jersey’s ban on semi-automatic rifles and its prohibition on magazines holding more than 10 rounds violate the Second Amendment.

In a sweeping 10-5 en banc decision, the Third Circuit held that New Jersey’s so-called “assault firearm” ban cannot survive the constitutional test established by the U.S. Supreme Court in its landmark 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision. The court also struck down the state’s 10-round magazine limit.

The 192-page opinion concluded that New Jersey’s prohibition on semi-automatic rifles, including the popular AR-15 platform, and its restrictions on so-called “large-capacity magazines” infringe on the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Writing for the majority, the court declared:

“Applying the framework announced in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022), we agree with the District Court that New Jersey’s ban on Colt AR-15s violates the Second Amendment. However, because the record supports the same result for all semi-automatic rifles—not only Colt AR-15s—we will MODIFY the District Court’s order so that it deems the Assault Firearm Provisions unconstitutional with respect to the full class of semi-automatic rifles.

We will AFFIRM that part of the order as modified. The LCM Provisions also violate the Second Amendment, so we will REVERSE the District Court’s order with respect to those. Because the LCM Provisions violate the Second Amendment, we need not address the Takings Clause challenge.”

As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, U.S. District Judge Peter Sheridan ruled in 2024 that New Jersey’s ban on the Colt AR-15 violated the Second Amendment, finding that the rifle is commonly owned by law-abiding Americans and protected under Heller and Bruen.

However, that earlier ruling left the state’s magazine restriction intact. Friday’s en banc decision goes significantly further by extending constitutional protection to the broader class of semi-automatic rifles while also striking down the magazine ban.

New Jersey’s Assault Firearm Provisions, originally passed in 1990 in the wake of a California shooting, criminalize the possession of a long list of semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns, plus anything “substantially identical.”

The state made it virtually impossible for law-abiding citizens to obtain a license, effectively creating a de facto ban. No civilian has ever successfully obtained such a license.

In 2018, Democrat lawmakers doubled down, lowering the “large capacity” magazine threshold from 15 rounds to 10 rounds, forcing residents to surrender, modify, or transfer standard magazines under threat of criminal penalties.

These laws were always about control, not safety.

The post Huge Win for Second Amendment — Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down New Jersey’s Unconstitutional Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban and Magazine Limit appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.