turmoil back home and with his military decisions under fire. the president and the first lady have wrapped up a holiday surprise visit to u.s. troops in iraq. the commander in chief defended his widely-criticized plan to withdraw forces from neighboring syria, claiming isis has been knocked out, quote, silly. the president says he is in no hurry to find a permanent replacement for defense secretary james mattis who quit in protest. mr. trump suggests he is not in a rush to end the partial government shutdown here in the u.s. as well. this hour i will talk with a key democrat on the house armed services committee, congressman john garamini. our correspondents and analysts are standing by at this hour. first to our white house correspondent, abby phillip, there was growing pressure on the president to finally visit troops in a combat zone and today he did it. today was the day. >> reporter: today was the day, jim. president trump two years into his presidency finally leaving the united states and heading to a combat zone where u.s. troops are stationed, but this is one of those conflicts that