Drive to include Rhode Island put in danger (7)
I believe the answer is:
imperil
'put in danger' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'drive to include rhode island' is the wordplay.
'drive' becomes 'impel' (I've seen this before).
'to include' indicates putting letters inside.
'rhode island' becomes 'ri' (US postal abbreviation).
'impel' going around 'ri' is 'IMPERIL'.
(Other definitions for imperil that I've seen before include "Threaten, jeopardise" , "Endanger" , "Place in danger" , "Put in danger" , "Put at risk" .)