Rand Paul, the doctor and anti-war senator, backs Trump, says he kept promise to end U.S. conflicts

Republican Sen. Rand Paul, one of President Trump's 2016 presidential rivals, took to the stage of the Republican National Convention on its second day to endorse President Trump, highlighting his humanitarian efforts and promises to end war.

The medically-trained optometrist recalled the time that Trump responded to his request for medical supplies for a mission to Guatemala and Haiti.

"We performed hundreds of surgeries in both countries," Paul said Tuesday night. "Nothing is more beautiful to me in this world than removing the bandages from a person’s eyes, and watching them as they see their loved ones again. Donald Trump helped me make that happen. President Donald Trump gets things done." 

Trump and Paul campaigned and debated furiously against each other amid a large field trying to win the GOP presidential nomination four years ago. 

"We all know how that turned out," said Paul, who continues to have occasional policy disagreements with the president. 

"I’m proud of the job Donald Trump has done as president," the Kentucky lawmaker said. "I don’t always agree with him. But our occasional policy differences are far outweighed by our significant agreements. But more important than simple agreement is accomplishment."

The Tea Party-backed Paul also recalled how he and Trump worked together to achieve meaningful tax reform.

"When some in Congress wanted a so-called “revenue neutral” tax plan, Donald Trump and I worked together to make sure it was a true tax cut," Paul boasted.

He also praised Trump for his efforts on Paul's signature legislation, criminal justice reform, while taking a swipe at Trump's 2020 Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden, a former senator and vice president.

"While others talked about criminal justice reform, President Trump signed the First Step Act, the first real reform in a generation and one that sought to undo the harm that others, like Joe Biden, have done," Paul said.

In closing Paul said: "I’m supporting President Trump because he believes as I do that a strong America cannot fight endless wars. We must not continue to leave our blood and treasure in Middle East quagmires.

"President Trump is the first president in a generation to seek to end war rather than start one. He intends to end the war in Afghanistan. He is bringing our men and women home. ... Joe Biden voted for the Iraq War, which President Trump has long called the worst geopolitical mistake of our generation.

"I fear Biden will choose war again. He supported war in Serbia, Syria, and Libya. Joe Biden will continue to spill our blood and treasure. President Trump will bring our heroes home. If you hate war like I hate war… if you want us to quit sending $50 billion to Afghanistan for luxury hotels and natural gas to stations … you need to support President Trump for another term."