As Americans gather in the nation’s capital to celebrate the Fourth of July and kick off the nation’s 250th anniversary festivities, Fox News Digital asked attendees at the Great American Fair on the National Mall whether the economy will influence how they vote in November.

While most respondents gave the U.S. economy a passing grade — most commonly a «B» — many said their ballots won’t hinge on inflation, jobs or economic growth alone. Instead, they pointed to values, leadership and party affiliation as the factors that will ultimately decide their vote.

The responses offer a snapshot of how some voters are weighing one of the nation’s top political issues ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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Although respondents expressed cautious optimism about the economy’s direction, several said improving conditions would not be enough to change their political preferences, underscoring the role that broader ideological and cultural issues continue to play in shaping voter decisions.

«I would probably give the economy, compared to what it was, I would give it a B for sure,» Jay Miller of Lafayette, Louisiana, told Fox News Digital. «I think we are on the verge of an economic boom like we’ve never seen in our nation. And I’m glad that I’m living at this point and this time to witness it firsthand.»

Miller said he believes lawmakers should work more closely with President Donald Trump to advance the administration’s agenda, arguing that doing so would help unlock further economic growth.

Donna Festinger from Greenfield, Massachusetts, also gave the economy above average marks, grading it a «B-plus.»

«I think it’s on the rise and we’re getting more and more jobs, which I think really helps everyone in America,» the retired schoolteacher told Fox News Digital. «I think this administration is working hard to help everybody earn more money and to be able to save more money, which will circle back into a better economy.»

But not everyone in Washington, D.C. this week was as upbeat.

FOX NEWS POLL: MOST RATE THE ECONOMY NEGATIVELY, INCLUDING HALF OF REPUBLICANS

Bonnie from Hollister, California, told Fox News Digital that the most overpriced everyday item in the United States right now is gasoline. (Fox News Digital)

Bonnie from Hollister, California gave the economy a «C,» citing ongoing concerns about prices, but said she’s hopeful conditions will continue improving.

«I don’t think it’s great right now,» she said, citing high gas prices in her home state of California. «I would say maybe a C, but I’m hopeful that it’s going to turn around and be getting up to a B soon.»

Dan Cuda, 72, landed somewhere in the middle, saying the economy still has «a lot of upside potential» despite inflation.

«Groceries are pricey. I’m an Air Force veteran, and I’m still shopping at the military commissaries, and it’s noticeably up,» Cuda, a Maryland resident, told Fox News Digital.

Military commissaries are grocery stores on military installations that offer discounted prices to eligible service members, veterans and their families.

Despite higher food costs, Cuda still said, «I’d call it a… B economy.»

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President Donald Trump returned to the White House on a promise to revive American manufacturing and bring jobs back to the United States. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

When the conversation shifted from the economy to politics, several Americans said economic conditions weren’t the deciding factor in how they plan to vote.

«It doesn’t really factor into my vote,» Cuda said, adding «I’m voting R no matter what.»

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Miller echoed that sentiment, saying character and values outweigh economic performance when it comes to casting his vote at the ballot box.

«Give me good people,» he said. «Give me conservatives. Give me somebody with a little faith, a little family, a little value. And that’s got my vote.»

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Bonnie also said the economy matters, but won’t change her support for her preferred candidate.

«It does matter, but it’s not gonna keep me from voting for who I wanna vote for,» the Californian said.

La posibilidad de que Marine Le Pen quede fuera de las elecciones presidenciales de Francia en 2027 se resolverá en cuestión de días, cuando el tribunal de apelaciones emita su veredicto definitivo. Si el fallo que se conocerá el próximo martes 7 de julio confirma la condena previa, la dirigente de Agrupación Nacional (RN) no podrá competir por el puesto que ha buscado durante más de una década.

En caso de confirmarse la inhabilitación, Le Pen se vería impedida de presentarse a la primera vuelta prevista para el 18 de abril del próximo año. Además, la imposición de un arresto domiciliario complicaría aún más su participación, pues restringiría de manera significativa su capacidad de campaña.

Durante el juicio de apelación, Le Pen sostuvo ante la corte que su formación actuó “de completa buena fe” y rechazó que existiera un sistema deliberado para desviar fondos del Parlamento Europeo. Sin embargo, la fiscalía defendió que la líder ultraderechista “profesionalizó” una práctica introducida por su padre, Jean-Marie Le Pen, al asumir el control del partido en 2011.

La dirigente política fue condenada en primera instancia a cuatro años de cárcel, con dos en suspenso, y a una inhabilitación de cinco años para ejercer cargos públicos, tras ser hallada culpable de emplear fondos europeos en beneficio de personal del partido en Francia entre 2004 y 2016. La acusación sostiene que el monto malversado asciende a varios millones de euros.

Le Pen declaró públicamente que solo decidirá si se presenta a las presidenciales después de conocer el resultado del tribunal. “No tengo miedo”, aseguró esta semana antes del fallo, y remarcó: “Si puedo presentarme, lo haré, siempre y cuando pueda hacer campaña”.

En caso de quedar fuera, la líder de RN sugirió que Jordan Bardella, actual presidente del partido y figura en ascenso con 30 años, podría asumir la candidatura. “Cuando eres candidato a la presidencia, necesitas tener total libertad de movimiento”, expresó Le Pen en una entrevista con el canal LCI y sumó que no puede depender de un magistrado para asistir a actos públicos.

El proceso judicial implica también a 24 ex diputados europeos, asistentes y contables, además del propio partido RN, acusados de operar un esquema para desviar recursos comunitarios. El tribunal dictaminó en primera instancia que existió una “estafa de empleos falsos” durante más de una década.

Le Pen calificó la investigación como una “caza de brujas” y denunció que algunos de sus seguidores enviaron amenazas de muerte a los jueces. Tanto ella como el partido y otras 11 personas presentaron una apelación. La fiscalía solicitó mantener la prohibición de cinco años y propuso una condena de cuatro años de prisión, con tres en suspenso, por el desvío de fondos.

Las encuestas recientes indican que la ultraderecha francesa lideraría la primera vuelta de los comicios de 2027, aunque existe incertidumbre respecto al desenlace en la segunda vuelta. Un sondeo de Harris Interactive Toluna realizado en mayo a más de 1.700 votantes mostró que Le Pen podría imponerse tanto a Jean-Luc Mélenchon, líder de la izquierda radical, como a los ex primeros ministros Gabriel Attal y Édouard Philippe.

La resolución del tribunal no solo definirá el futuro inmediato de la figura más relevante de la extrema derecha francesa, sino que también podría reconfigurar el escenario político de cara a las próximas elecciones presidenciales.

(Con información de AFP)

A New Orleans grand jury on Thursday indicted Republican Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill on charges including intimidation and malfeasance, accusing the state’s top law enforcement officer of threatening local officials during a high-profile political dispute over the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk’s office.

The 16-count indictment accuses Louisiana’s first female attorney general of threatening local officials with removal from office if they proceeded with actions she believed violated state law.

Assistant District Attorney Laurie White, who is prosecuting the case, said Thursday she expects it to be «very simple» and «very open and shut.»

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Murrill responded in a post on X, calling the indictment «retaliatory, meritless, and unconstitutional» and saying she would immediately appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

«I will not back down,» Murrill wrote. «I will continue enforcing the law, fighting corruption, and doing the job the people of Louisiana elected me to do.»

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry also defended Murrill, saying he would pardon her «as fast as the law allows.»

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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry defended Attorney General Liz Murrill following her indictment and pledged to pardon her «as fast as the law allows.» (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, file)

Landry said Murrill «will not have to worry about having her reputation tarnished by this kangaroo grand jury or the Orleans Kangaroo court.»

«The criminal justice system is a circus at its finest in Orleans and we will not have any of that!» he added.

In a follow-up post, Landry called for an investigation into the grand jury proceedings.

NEW MEXICO AG LAUNCHES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO DEA OVER ALLEGATIONS AGENTS LET FENTANYL FLOOD STATE

Louisiana Attorney Liz Murrill is surrounded by law enforcement leaders during a Dec. 18, 2025 press conference in Ruston. (Greg Hilburn/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

«Based on the information contained in the motion by @AGLizMurrill, I am ordering the State Police to immediately begin investigating the alleged improprieties of this grand jury and those who ran it!»

The indictment stems from a months-long dispute between state leaders and New Orleans officials over the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk’s office.

At Landry’s urging, Louisiana lawmakers approved a Republican-backed overhaul that eliminated the elected Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position after Calvin Duncan, a man who spent nearly three decades in prison before his conviction was overturned, won the office. The law transferred the position’s duties to the parish’s civil court clerk, preventing Duncan from taking office.

After New Orleans officials sought to install Duncan or create a path for him to assume the office, Murrill warned they could face removal under Louisiana’s «usurper» laws, which prohibit support for an unauthorized officeholder. Prosecutors allege those warnings formed the basis of the criminal charges against her.

«We’re very interested in elected officials in New Orleans not being intimidated or threatened by letter or any other way,» White told reporters after the indictment was unsealed.

Bond for Murrill was set at $400,000 on Thursday, according to court records.

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Special prosecutor Laurie White announces the indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill outside the Orleans Criminal District Court building in New Orleans, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (Sophia Germer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

Fox News Digital has reached out to Murrill’s office for additional comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.