Trump says U.S. never promised to protect Kurds in Syria

"I’m trying to get out of wars," Mr. Trump added.

In the Middle East, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper echoed the President's assessment.

“We had no obligation if you will to defend the Kurds from a long-standing NATO ally (Turkey)," Esper told reporters.

As U.S. military forces pulled back - moving into other regions of Syria, and across the border into Iraq - they were met with protests, as people threw tomatoes and rocks at American military vehicles.

"I understand the anger of Kurds," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted, as he said U.S. troops should be praised, and not insulted.

"They didn't make the decision to leave," Rubio said, without mentioning President Trump. "They were ordered to."

Asked about the possible release of Islamic State prisoners, and whether the group might be able to regroup with the U.S. gone, the President blasted the press.

Back in Congress, House Democrats set a hearing for Wednesday on the situation in Syria spurred by President Trump's decision to pull out U.S. forces near the Syria-Turkey border.

The witnesses will include three officials from the State Department; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is not on the witness list.

While the President has said the troops in Syria were being brought home, it instead looks like the Pentagon is going to keep those military forces in Syria and Iraq for the time being - in order to deal with the Islamic State.