The statement that offers the best assessment of John Locke’s influence on the Founders of the U.S. is:
"John Locke’s views about natural rights were evident in the Declaration of Independence."
Locke's philosophy emphasized natural rights such as life, liberty, and property, which heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson's writing in the Declaration of Independence, particularly in the assertion of unalienable rights. While Locke's ideas about religious freedom and separation of powers were influential, the most direct and clear evidence of his impact is found in the Declaration.