Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died, the team announced on Tuesday. He was 45.Johnson was a standout running back for the Auburn Tigers before the Bengals selected him in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Bengals and one with the Detroit Lions. He was a Pro Bowler with Cincinnati in 2004.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us," Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. "He was dependable and productive as a player, and very popular among his teammates. Everyone liked him and saw him as a dear friend. We are deeply saddened by his passing."TMZ Sports first reported Johnsons death, citing the former NFL players family. Police told the outlet that Johnson died by suicide.RAVENS LOSS TO LIONS PUTS BALTIMORE IN UNWANTED PLACE IN NFL HISTORY BOOKSFormer Bengals star Chad OchoCinco was among those who paid tribute to Johnson on social media.Johnson appeared in 81 games for the Bengals from 2001 to 2007. He started every game for Cincinnati in 2004 and rushed for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to his lone Pro Bowl selection. It started a string of three consecutive years in which he rushed for at least 1,000 yards.He played in 14 games for the Lions in 2008 before he retired.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The Pentagon is changing its rules on press access, marking what legal experts and press advocates call an "unprecedented" restriction on journalists covering the nations military headquarters.George Washington University law professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley warned the move may be a "bridge too far" and potentially "devastating" to the Pentagon press corps."There is no precedent for what they're doing here," Turley said Monday on "Special Report."The policy would require credentialed reporters to sign a pledge agreeing not to publish information unless it has been cleared for release. That would include materials that have already been unclassified. Journalists who refuse could lose their access.EXCLUSIVE: PENTAGON DENIES NBC REPORT ON CHARLIE KIRK RECRUITING CAMPAIGN, CALLS IT '100% WRONG'"What they're basically saying is if you publish anything that's not in the press release, is not the official statement of the Pentagon, you could be held responsible under this policy," Turley explained."That is going to create a stranglehold on the free press. And the cost is too great."PENTAGON OFFICIALS BLAST WASHINGTON POST FOR PUTTING 'LIVES AT RISK' WITH REPORT ON PETE HEGSETHS SECURITYSecretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the change and said it was designed to curb leaks and protect information at the Pentagon. "Time and time again, classified information is leaked or peddled for political purposes to try to make the president look bad," said Hegseth at a news conference in June.The policy has ignited criticism from media outlets and Capitol Hill.Critics argue the rules could block the public from learning about the nations actions and reduce reporting to little more than government-approved messaging.TRUMP TO RENAME PENTAGON, RESTORING HISTORIC DEPARTMENT OF WAR IN LATEST MILITARY MOVENebraska Rep. Don Bacon openly criticized the plan on X, writing: "This is so dumb that I have a hard time believing it is true. We dont want a bunch of Pravda newspapers only touting the Governments official position. A free press makes our country better. This sounds like more amateur hour."Turley called the impact of the order "breathtaking," noting that the Pentagon and the press have traditionally worked together to balance the publics right to know about matters of national security."It is true that access is something that is a privilege," Turley said."But the Pentagon has had a long tradition of allowing the media to work with its own representatives and getting the story right."Turley raised concerns about the policys reach, since it places even unclassified information off-limits unless explicitly approved or agreed upon."This is really limitless in terms of the level of control that would be exercised by people given access to the Pentagon," he said.President Donald Trump appeared to disagree with the policy when asked about the order by a reporter on Sunday.When asked if the Pentagon should decide what the media can cover, he said, "No, I dont think so." He added, "Nothing stops reporters."

There are hundreds of headphones on the market, so it can be difficult to sort through the mess of options and reviews. Weve done the hard work for you and rounded up some top headphone deals, so you can spend less on your next pair of headphones. Whether youre an athlete that needs stable headphones or you want the most advanced noise cancellation possible, there are options out there for you.Original price: $349.99Beats Studio Pro headphones are as stylish as they are impressive. Whether youre listening to music or taking calls, you get a strong sound. There are two listening modes, one that completely cancels out background noise and another that allows you to hear some of your surroundings. With an impressive 40-hour battery life, you can go days without charging your Beats. When youre on calls, the voice-targeting mics filter background noise, so the person on the other line can only hear you. These headphones come in nine different colors to choose from.BAG A BIG SCREEN BARGAIN WITH UP TO 50% OFF TVSOriginal price: $189.95Boasting an impressive 50-hour battery life, the Sennheiser ACCENTUM wireless headphones have one of the longest lasting batteries on the market. They feature a noise-canceling mode or a transparency mode, and have two microphones for clearer calls.No matter what mode you're listening in, the stereo-quality sound helps you fully experience the music, shows or podcasts you're listening to. When you're not using them, the headphones fold up for easy storage.Original price: $348Sony wireless noise-canceling headphones are a premium pair of headphones that have Dual Noise Sensor technology that cancels out noise around you. The 30-hour battery life can last you for days, and when the battery is dead it takes just 10 minutes to get five hours of play time. There are built-in touch sensors that allow you to play, pause, skip tracks and control the volume by touch or voice control. They are available in black, midnight blue and what Sony calls silver (its more of a warm greige).You can connect to two devices at the same time, so you can take calls when needed and then get back to listening to music, podcasts or your favorite shows. The superior call quality picks up your voice and blocks out background noise when youre on the phone.Original price: $549Apple lovers who prefer over-ear headphones will appreciate theApple AirPods Max. With Apples H1 chip and software, you get a dynamic listening experience with Active Noise Cancellation. There is a Transparency mode that helps you comfortably hear the world around you.Apple beats out the competition in the style realm, offering five unique colors, including Midnight, Starlight, blue, orange and purple. It also includes asmart case that automatically charges your headphones.Original price: $144.99If you dont need anything too fancy, theSkullcandy Crusher over-ear headphones will do the trick. Featuring dual bass drivers, youll feel the music as you listen. You get 40 hours of battery life, which is impressive for the lower cost. And a quick 10-minute charge gives you three hours of playtime.Original price: $249Apples AirPods Pro 2 are an impressive pair of earbuds with a unique hearing health experience. Take a scientifically validated hearing test and the earbuds will adjust the sound to ensure you hear calls, music and more without straining your ears. The Active Noise Cancellation feature removes background noise and allows you to hear your music more clearly. These headphones are sweat and water-resistant, so you can listen to music in any situation, whether youre working out or walking in the rain.FROM AIRPODS TO APPLE WATCH, THE MUST-HAVE IPHONE 17 ACCESSORIESOriginal price: $129Apples latest AirPods, theAirPods 4 are designed to be comfortable and stable in your ears. You get the same theater-like listening experience other generations offer, but the H2 chip helps with voice isolation on calls, which has been a sticking point with many Apple users. The battery life gives up to five hours of listening time on a single charge, and up to 30 hours on-the go by recharging them in the case, which was redesigned to be 10% smaller with USB-C charging capabilities.COMFY SNEAKERS UNDER $60 YOU'LL WANT TO WEAR ALL DAYOriginal price: $79.99Soundcore's Sport X10 headphones are designed with athletes in mind. They have 210-degree rotatable ear hooks that fit perfectly in your ears, and they won't move no matter how intense your workout. Soundcore has pumped up the bass on these headphones, giving you a more immersive experience.You can play, pause or skip songs with the simple press of a button, even in the middle of a workout. Use the Soundcore app to customize the controls you want.Original price: $9.99Listeners who prefer old-school wired headphones can get everything theyre looking for in theseSkullcandy earbuds. You get two extra pairs of different-sized silicone ear gels. Although it doesnt compare to the noise cancellation from over-ear headphones, Skullcandy Jibs have noise-isolation built in that block out some of the noise in the background.For more deals, visitwww.foxnews.com/dealsIf youre anAmazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You canjoin or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

A top legal expert and retired Navy JAG threw cold water on claims that Erika Kirks "grace" and "forgiveness" of Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson is a boon for the defense in its likely quest to avoid a death penalty case.Cully Stimson, deputy director of the Heritage Foundations Edwin Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies and former George W. Bush administration Pentagon official, said observers should not conflate Erika Kirks "grace as a religious person" with erosion of legal accountability."Because she had the strength of character and the willingness to forgive as a Christian does not automatically have any bearing on whether the state can and should pursue the ultimate punishment and whether the state and will get a judgment including the ultimate punishment," Stimson said.JUSTICE DEPARTMENT URGED TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY IN CAPITAL JEWISH MUSEUM MURDERSAs both a former prosecutor and defense attorney, Stimson said he can envision the case going to trial though suggested it may not and when it does that the defense will mount a case pointing to Erika Kirks comment."Look, even the decedents wife has forgiven our client, and therefore, theres really no reason whatsoever to move forward with the death penalty," Stimson envisioned the defense arguing.The state of Utah could then agree, and drop capital punishment as a potential outcome, or dismiss the defenses notion out of hand.The case is not Kirk v. [Suspect], it is the State of Utah v. [Suspect], he remarked, noting that the state as a proxy therefore has even more leverage to bring the ultimate punishment against the suspect, regardless of how the defense may translate the Kirk familys comments.Stimson pointed to rape cases he has tried where the victim knew the suspect, comes forward, charges are pressed, evidence is presented but when the suspect gets convicted, the victim suddenly doesnt want extended or harsh punishment whether for personal, religious or other reasons.UTAH PROSECUTORS PREPARE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY CASE AGAINST CHARLIE KIRK SUSPECT TYLER JAMES ROBINSON"In general, state victims' rights statutes require the government here, the prosecutor, to take into consideration the views of the victims or the victims' family members. That doesn't mean they have to follow them," he said.The case has also brought Utahs unique death penalty scenarios back to the fore.Utah along with Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina still allow firing squad as a method of execution. Until 1996, some states also permitted hanging with Delaware murderer Billy Bailey being the last such convict to meet that end.Stimson dismissed criticism of a firing squad as unconstitutionally cruel or unusual, and also rejected claims the death penalty itself is wrongfully antiquated.RETIRED FBI AGENT WARNS OF 'ASSASSINATION CULTURE' AFTER LEARNING KIRK SUSPECT LIVED WITH TRANS PARTNER"The death penalty is mentioned three times in the Constitution the death penalty has been held constitutional since 1976."He said the firing squad would abide by the Eighth Amendment in that it is not cruel as the convict dies instantly and not unusual.Other methods of execution like the electric chair, however, which are all but moot today, were more mainstream but at the same time less in line with the Eighth Amendment, Stimson said critics could argue in turn.The electric chair did not always result in painless, instantaneous death, and the method may have been considered unusual in its construct, he suggested.The military, he said, still has the firing squad as an execution method on its books, the retired JAG officer said, although the Pentagon has not executed anyone since Pvt. John Bennett was hanged at Fort Leavenworth for rape in 1916.

Forget the horse-drawn carriage pageantry. Did you see Jensen Huang, president and CEOof NVIDIA, in his white tie and tails with King Charles III at Windsor Castle? The most important visual from that sumptuous state dinner for President Donald J. Trump on Sept. 17 was the American tech titans in their formal togs. Trump threw London a lifeline. The tech prosperity deals are an emergency measure to keep China out of Great Britains AI stack and try to boost the U.K. into a serious AI and tech ally. Windsor Castle put on the fanciest chicken dinner of the year. Married couples are never seated next to each other at English dinner parties, so Trump sat between King Charles and Kate Middleton, the princess of Wales. The cognac was from 1912, the year Trumps motherMary Anne MacLeodwas born in Scotlands Outer Hebrides.TRUMP CAPS UK TRIP WITH $350B TECH PACT, HEADS TO ARIZONA FOR KIRKS MEMORIAL SERVICEAll appropriate, because, as King Charles may realize, this is his kingdoms last chance. The $350 billion flowing from the U.S. into the U.K. is the biggest single effort since World War II to keep Britain afloat. During World War II, American Lend-Lease ships, B-17 bombers and troops saved Britain from Adolf Hitler. "Together weve done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history," Trump said. The U.S. and Great Britain are already cooperating on F-35 fighters, nuclear submarines and more, but the battle with China requires Great Britain to grow as a tech partner, too. In 2025, the "last ditch" is the not the English Channel; its the AI stack and cloud. Hence the gusher of investment from the U.S. to the U.K. You may have noticed Trumps strategy to draw investment to America, and hes already counting literal trillions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, etc. For Great Britain, Americas best ally, hes reversed the flow. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S UK VISIT SHOULDN'T BE UNDERESTIMATEDU.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recognizes the importance of tech, but his government, short on cash, had to unplug a $1 billion supercomputer project in Scotland last year. Now it's back on, and Microsoft will put $15 billion into an even bigger British supercomputer alongside startup AI hyperscaler Nscale. The Yankee dollar is getting the job done. During Trumps visit, U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves opened a Google AI data center in Waltham Cross, 12 miles north of London. That $7 billion investment fuels over 8,000 jobs and is part of Googles plan to position AI data centers overseas so U.S. tech will dominate the global AI inference market. Turns out, being close to customers matters for the most efficient runs of AI models. Remember all those tech dinners at the White House? Trump and his team fully grasp that the U.S. tech stack must dominate AI not just here but around the world. Europe is devoid of big tech companies. Britain may have a shot, and the investment in AI, supercomputing, quantum, is a chance to gear up for the AI race with China. That goes for cloud computing, too. No point letting Huawei run away with cloud services when Amazon Web Services is pumping $12 billion into Britain. TRUMP'S AI PLAN IS A BULWARK AGAINST THE RISING THREAT FROM CHINAChina already has a hold on Britain. CKG from Hong Kong (now under Xi Jinpings control) owns U.K. Power Networks. The Chinese own 10% of Heathrow Airport, and have stakes in other infrastructure from steel mills to offshore wind farms, the BBC reported. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONLondon is Europes largest tech hub and Chinese foreign direct investment has been pouring in. The Brits get it. "Itis therefore plausible that China could ultimately combine its existing supply-chain and manufacturing dominance with its rapidly improving technological capabilities aided bythe use ofrobotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and efficient new energy technologies tosecure aposition ofglobal economic and technological leadership comparable tothat ofthe UKin the 19th century orthe USin the20th century," a report from Britains renowned Chatham House instituteconcluded in July. DETAILS OF TRUMP'S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AI PLAN REVEALED BY WHITE HOUSE AHEAD OF MAJOR SPEECHIt's not just the U.K. "PRC firms such as Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent control around 35% of Germanys cloud-computing infrastructure, which poses long-term risks of surveillance, IP theft, and military exploitation," found the German Marshall Fund. One downside is that London agitators love taxing American billionaires. Although the U.K. broke away from the European Union, the Brits have followed Europes practice of digital services taxes on U.S. tech and e-commerce companies. OK, technically its on the "big" companies but they just happen to be all American. Who knew, right? Canada halted its digital services tax this summer and Starmer should too. "Together, we must defend the exceptional heritage that makes us who we are, and we must continue to stand for the values and for the people of the English-speaking world," Trump added. Heres to the Anglo-American tech partnership that can foil China. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM REBECCA GRANT

President Donald Trump sharply criticized a wave of European nations that recently recognized a Palestinian state, warning that such moves reward Hamas and encourage continued conflict in Gaza."As everyone knows, I have also been deeply engaged in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza. Have to get that done. You have to get it done," Trump said."Unfortunately, Hamas has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace. We cant forget Oct. 7, can we? Now, as if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state this would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including Oct. 7."His remarks came one day after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his nation would recognize a Palestinian state, hosting a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly along with Saudi Arabia on a two-state solution.ISRAEL CALLS UN PUSH FOR PALESTINE STATEHOOD A CHARADE, WARNS OF CONSEQUENCES FOR RECOGNITION MOVESSeveral other longtime Israeli allies the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada did the same on Sunday, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and expanding settlements and violence by settlers in the West Bank.The U.S. remains squarely on the side of Israel, and Trump said such recognition undermines efforts to free hostages held in Gaza and risks emboldening Hamas."Even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept the ceasefire, instead of giving to Hamas and giving so much because theyve taken so much, they have taken so much. This could have been solved so long ago," Trump said. "Instead of giving in to Hamas as ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: release the hostages now. Just release the hostages."Trump said he always knew the last 20 remaining hostages would be "the hardest" to get back but said the bodies of the deceased were just as important to reclaim."Those parents came to me and they want them back as though they were alive. They want them every bit as much as if their son or daughter were alive."On Monday, France became the first major Western nuclear power and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council from the G7 to formally recognize a Palestinian state.MACRON STAKES ANTI-TRUMP GLOBAL ROLE WITH GAZA INITIATIVE AT UN SUMMITMacron said: "The time has come to no longer talk about the existence of Israel its self-evident. The time has come to do justice to the Palestinians, to recognize the state of Palestine.""We must do this to save lives."Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon warned there will be "consequences" for nations that recognize a Palestinian state.On Tuesday, Trump will hold a closed-door meeting with Arab leaders who are expected to implore him to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to end the war in Gaza.Trump is expected to present his Middle Eastern counterparts with the U.S. outlook for peace and post-war governance in Gaza.

The Minnesota Vikings male cheerleaders sparked a debate among NFL fans in the preseason even as the franchise was far from the first to have them on their sideline.Napoleon Jinnies, who was the first male cheerleader in the NFL when he performed for the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, came out in defense of Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMJinnies told People in a recent interview that the outrage around male cheerleaders was nothing new."Im rolling my eyes," he told the magazine. "Theyre not saying anything new."Jinnies recalled his own journey going from competitive cheerleading in college to trying to make a profession out of his passion. He wasnt the only male cheerleader on the team either.He said critics sent nasty messages on social media and were heckling them at games. He said the comments and criticism didnt bother him because they werent attacking his cheering or dancing abilities.COWBOYS OWNER JERRY JONES SAYS MICAH PARSONS WON'T RECEIVE TRIBUTE VIDEO AS PACKERS HEAD TO DALLAS IN WEEK 4"The comments from people who were from my childhood to preteen to college were the exact same comments from these random adults," he said. "And theyre not saying anything about what Im putting out as an artist."He added that he received a ton of support that overshadowed the hate and applauded the skills of Shiek and Conn."Maybe I could see their point if they were bad cheerleaders," he said of the detractors. "But theyre beat-for-beat, step-for-step killing it with the girls. Im looking at them like a dance judge, like, Well, they shine. Sorry if that ruffles your feathers."Shiek and Conn have continued to perform for the Vikings despite the social media outrage.Minnesota has started the season 2-1 despite losing quarterback J.J. McCarthy for a few weeks with an injury.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Welcome to the Fox News Entertainment Newsletter.TOP 3:- Jennifer Aniston left speechless after learning Reese Witherspoon's real name- Angelina Jolie criticizes America in free speech plea- Miss America defends pageant makeup after social media trolls took aimTOUGH CRITICS - Sarah Michelle Gellar faces backlash over her daughter's lavish 16th birthday gift.'JUST KEEP LIVIN' - Matthew McConaughey shares the non-negotiable that protects his family life.HERE'S THE STORY - Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick shares keys to a successful 40-year Hollywood marriage.HERO'S ANTHEM - 'Dukes of Hazzard' star John Schneiders song for Charlie Kirk isnt just a tribute, its a battle cry.DUBIOUS ALLIANCE - Sarah Ferguson dropped by multiple charities after calling Jeffrey Epstein 'generous and supreme friend.'CELEBRITY SETBACK - James Van Der Beek forced to skip 'Dawson's Creek' reunion during an ongoing cancer battle.ARTIST CONTROVERSY - Woody Allen slams cancel culture as 'dumb' after decades of ongoing scandal.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING?CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSFOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebookInstagramYouTubeX, formerly Twitter

Jurors in Fort Pierce, Florida, began deliberations Tuesday in the federal criminal trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at his Palm Beach golf course last year.Routh, 59, faces five federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he could face life in prison.Prosecutors used their closing arguments Tuesday to emphasize both the digital and forensic evidence presented at trial and what they described as Rouths clear intent: to kill Trump."This was not a publicity stunt," Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne told the jury. "The evidence has shown one thing and one thing only the defendant wanted Donald Trump dead," Browne said, adding that the worst part was that he "almost got away" with it.Browne told jurors that Routh "excessively" stalked Trump's locations and whereabouts in the weeks before the alleged assassination attempt on Sept. 15, 2024.He noted that Routh allegedly traveled on 17 separate occasions to scope out the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. These were "reconnaissance" missions, Browne argued.TONY HAWK, TAIWAN AND A FLASHLIGHT: TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT SUSPECTS BIZARRE DEFENSEBrowne reminded jurors that there were 19 rounds found in the magazine of the SKS rifle recovered at the scene, including one in the chamber.There is "no doubt, no reasonable doubt, no doubt whatsoever that it was the man," Browne said, pointing at Routh, "who was hiding" in the sniper's nest.Browne told jurors that his motives were also on clear display, pointing to lyrics from a rap song Routh wrote about killing Trump with a sniper rifle one he penned after he was caught and arrested by the FBI."It's not every case where the defendant writes down his intent on a piece of paper," Browne said.The prosecution spent most of its time Tuesday focusing on count one of the five federal criminal charges Routh is facing: Attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate.JURY SEATED IN TRIAL OF MAN ACCUSED OF TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTThe contrast between Routh's defense and federal prosecutors is a dynamic that has been on stark display throughout the trial.Federal prosecutors spent roughly two weeks walking jurors through hundreds of exhibits and testimony from 38 witnesses to make their case against Routh.Prosecutors methodically built their case with cellphone data placing Routh at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where they said he created a "snipers nest" near the sixth hole. They also introduced bank records, burner phone purchases, and DNA evidence linking him to the SKS rifle recovered at the scene.TRUMP TRIAL CONTINUES WITH MORE FBI TESTIMONY AFTER RIFLE CALLED PREPARED TO FIRECLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPU.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has grown increasingly frustrated with Rouths decision to represent himself without a law degree or formal training. Before adjourning Monday, she warned him that any arguments must be "reasonably tied to the admitted evidence."Routh confirmed he understood and told Cannon he would not testify on his own behalf, despite her repeated offers for him to reconsider and consult with standby counsel.Fox News' Samantha Daigle and Jennifer Johnson contributed to this report.

FIRST ON FOX: The House Oversight Committee is setting its sights on insurance companies that may have discriminated against entities with right-wing views.The panel is also looking into whether retirees' pension accounts were being used to invest in progressive policies they may not necessarily agree with, Fox News Digital has learned."The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating improper restrictions on access to capital and capital markets of individuals and entities based on political viewpoints or involvement in certain industries (such as cryptocurrency, energy, and firearms)," Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., wrote to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)."The Committee has engaged with whistleblowers who had their insurance policies cancelled for widely-held political positions or for operating legal businesses considered out of favor by progressive activists."HOUSE PASSES TRUMP-BACKED PLAN TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNThe move is an expansion of the House Oversight Committee's ongoing investigation into whether public financial institutions engaged in debanking against people and entities with right-wing views.Comer is also probing whether companies implementing progressive policies are doing so at the expense of millions of retired Americans' personal investments.He wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in his capacity as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), that his panel "is investigating the prolific use of proxy proposals and other activism targeting corporate boards of directors by activists pursuing political agendas at the expense of the retirement and personal savings of Americans."BILL BARR TESTIFIES HE DIDN'T SEE INFO THAT WOULD 'IMPLICATE' TRUMP IN EPSTEIN CASE, COMER SAYS"Specifically, the Committee seeks to understand how giant investment managers and pension fund managers, aided by proxy advisory firms, sidestepped or abandoned their fiduciary duties to beneficiaries to pursue a political agenda and whether new legislation is needed to protect investors," Comer stated."At a minimum, Americans deserve to fully know if their hard-earned savings are being used in a progressive playbook."The letter accused certain large asset management firms like BlackRock of putting clients' money into green energy initiatives, for example, rather than more profitable areas, in order to promote a left-wing agenda.BlackRock pushed back on such accusations in a public statement on its website, however."One of the most critical tasks of an asset manager is to provide clients with insights on short- and long-term trends in the global economy that can impact their portfolios. We do this across all sectors from healthcare to technology to energy," the company wrote."Climate risk is one such trend given its implications for the economy. We believe that companies that better manage their exposure to climate risk and capitalize on opportunities will generate better long term financial outcomes."BlackRock's website also asserted that the "choice of where to invest ultimately rests with our clients.""We are bound to adhere to their investment guidelines and objectives. We do not dictate particular investment strategies," it said.And on a broader scale, the committee looking into whether publicly-traded companies are running afoul of President Donald Trump's executive order outlawing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices by simply listing it under another name."[T]he Committee remains concerned following reports of publicly traded companies intentionally camouflaging or rebranding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies to hide such discrimination from "the Trump Administration, courts or influential activists,'" Comer wrote to several organizations opposing corporate discrimination, including the Alliance Defending Freedom."At minimum, shareholders and retirement plan beneficiaries deserve transparency around discriminatory practices employed by corporate directors and officers as such behavior is rebranded. Replacing DEI and ESG titles with 'employee engagement' or inclusion and impact represents yet another deceptive practice."Trump's order, signed in January 2025, barred financial institutions, major corporations, colleges and universities, law enforcement agencies and specific industries like medicine and commercial airlines from promoting or implementing DEI standards.Comer accused the previous White House of promoting discriminatory practices, however, in a statement to Fox News Digital."The Oversight Committee is investigating discriminatory practices in the American financial system and the Biden Administrations role in supporting them," he wrote. "Whether it is using the boardroom to achieve what the political left could not accomplish at the ballot box, or canceling Americans insurance policies and debanking them for their political views, these actions are wrong and deprive Americans of their constitutional rights."Fox News Digital reached out to the IRS and NAIC for comment but did not immediately hear back.