Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., says it is time to bring American troops home from Afghanistan.

His comments came in an opinion piece published by The Hill.

"The Trump administration is increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan and, by doing so, keeping us involved even longer in a 16-year-old war that has long since gone past its time," he says.

"The mission in Afghanistan has lost its purpose, and I think it is a terrible idea to send any more troops into that war. It's time to come home now."

Paul notes had he been in Congress 16 years ago, he would have voted to authorize military action. He noted the Taliban, who then controlled Afghanistan, were harboring al-Qaida.

"But as is typical, there was significant mission creep in Afghanistan," he says. "We went from striking back against those who attacked us, to regime change, to nation-building, to policing their country for them.

"And we do it all now with an authorization that is flimsy at best, with the reason blurred, and the costs now known. We do it with an authorization that was debated and passed before some of our newest military personnel were out of diapers. This isn't fair to them, to the American people, or to a rational foreign policy."

He says he opposes President Trump's latest moves in the conflict.

"So, I strongly disagree with the administration's actions here," Paul says. "I've spoken to the president, and I know he wants to end this war. We've all heard him say it. But talk won't get it done.

"Although I've been informed that the president rejected larger expansions of troops than the one announced this week, that's not good enough. He should have rejected this one and stuck to his principles. He knows this war is over, and he — unlike the last two presidents — should have the guts to end it for real, on his watch."

And Paul insists he will be leading the charge in Congress against the war.

"If the president and my colleagues want to continue the war in Afghanistan, then at the very least Congress should vote on it," he says.