Trump meets troop reduction targets in Afghanistan and Iraq

President Trump moved a step closer to meeting his campaign pledge to end the "endless wars” with the Defense Department announcing on Friday that troop reduction targets in Afghanistan and Iraq have been met.

“Today, the United States is closer than ever to ending nearly two decades of war,” acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said in a statement confirming that the Friday Trump-imposed deadline to draw down forces to 2,500 in Afghanistan had been met.

“With a force of 2,500, commanders have what they need to keep America, our people, and our interests safe,” he said.

The decision to draw down was announced by Miller in his first public statement on Nov. 17following the abrupt firing of Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who had opposed further drawdowns in a memo to the White House before his dismissal.

Miller’s statement said the number, along with NATO ally and partner forces, is sufficient for the advise and assist mission to the Afghan Security Forces.

Detractors cried foul after the November announcement, saying it was not enough to protect troops, let alone assist the Afghans with rooting out lingering al Qaeda terrorists.