Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Lists Trump As Biggest Threat To America

When asked what he considered the biggest geopolitical threat to the United States, Washington Governor Jay Inslee responded, “Donald Trump,” earning him thunderous applause at Wednesday’s Democratic primary debate.

Towards the end of the debate, the moderators asked all 10 candidates what they considered to be the biggest geopolitical threat to the United States. Inslee replied that he thought President Donald Trump posed the most danger to the nation, an answer which proved popular with the watching crowd.

Inslee’s answer is unusual for him, as the Washington governor has centered much of his campaign around fighting climate change. While other Democrats, such as former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), listed global warming as the biggest threat, Inslee diverged from his usual enemy to attack the president instead.

Each candidate on the biggest geopolitical threat to the United States:

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

• Inslee: "The biggest threat to the security of the United States is Donald Trump"
• Gabbard: "We are at a greater risk of nuclear war today than ever before"
• O'Rourke: "Climate change" pic.twitter.com/nsmwUDyXrw

— Axios (@axios) June 27, 2019

Inslee’s response was also unique in that most of the debate had been centered not around Trump-bashing but instead around the ideas of the candidates. The tone of the debate was less combative and more progressive, with presidential contenders hoping that their ability to provide an appealing future for voters would help bring them into the White House.

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

Inslee has struggled to gain significant traction among voters, with many seeing him as just another old white man. Even with his climate-focused platform, the Washington governor has been unable to rise above his opponents enough to gain name recognition. His showing during the Democratic primary debate was similarly insignificant, with Inslee failing to use the opportunity to make himself stand out.