WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. John McCain has issued a veiled criticism of President Donald Trump's medical deferments that kept him from serving in the Vietnam War.

In an interview with C-SPAN last week, McCain lamented that the military "drafted the lowest income level of America and the highest income level found a doctor that would say they had a bone spur."

McCain Issues Veiled Criticism of Trump's Vietnam Deferment

One of Trump's five draft deferments came as a result of a physician's letter stating he suffered from bone spurs in his feet. Trump's presidential campaign described the issue as a temporary problem.

McCain Issues Veiled Criticism of Trump's Vietnam Deferment

McCain spent six years as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967.

McCain Issues Veiled Criticism of Trump's Vietnam Deferment

Trump derided McCain's service in 2015, stating his fellow Republican wasn't a "war hero" and adding "I like people who weren't captured."

McCain's spokeswoman didn't immediately return a request for comment Monday.