WASHINGTON • Senator John McCain became a focus of concern after a line of questioning that appeared to conflate two FBI investigations during the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

Mr McCain, 80, a Republican, said he believed there was a "double standard" because an investigation into the use of a private e-mail server by Mrs Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president, was completed in July, while an investigation into Russia's meddling in the campaign continues.

That investigation was not connected to the continuing investigation into how Russia sought to influence the election, but Mr McCain appeared to connect the two.

Afterwards, Mr McCain's office issued a statement: "I get the sense from Twitter that my line of questioning today went over people's heads.

"Maybe going forward I shouldn't stay up late watching the Diamondbacks' night games," he said, referring to the Arizona baseball team.

NY TIMES