Donald Trump has faced criticism from his own party over his comments following the killing of Alex Pretti. Pretti was gunned down by immigration officials at the weekend while attempting to help a female protester who had been pushed to the ground by federal agents.

At the time, the ICU nurse was legally carrying a holstered pistol, with his possession of the firearm later being used as a part of the justification for his killing. Speaking about the incident yesterday, Donald Trump said: “You can’t have guns.” He added: “He certainly shouldn’t have been carrying a gun. I don’t like that he had a gun. I don’t like that he had two fully loaded magazines. That’s a lot of bad stuff.”

The issue of gun ownership and limitations on possession of firearms is one of the most fractious and sensitive topics in American politics, with the Republican Party lobbying for decades to prevent any perceived infringement on Americans second amendment rights to bear arms.

His comments prompted fury within MAGA circles and exposed fissures in the movement as several commentators attempted to use Pretti’s legal possession of a weapon to justify the killing.

The National Rifle Association (NRA), the most influential gun advocacy in the US posted in response: “The NRA unequivocally believes that all law-abiding citizens have a right to keep and bear arms anywhere they have a legal right to be.”

The National Association of Gun Rights added: “The President is simply wrong. While we agree you can’t interfere with law enforcement, you absolutely have the right to carry the tools for self-defense while lawfully protesting.

“In fact, that’s precisely the kind of place where exercising that right matters most.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t just a misstatement by the President; it reflects a broader problem with the messaging of other highly ranked Administration officials.”

California Governor and 2028 Democratic presidential candidate front-runner Gavin Newsom responded: “The Trump administration does not believe in the 2nd Amendment. Good to know.”

Former Republican Party presidential candidate Joe Walsh said of Trump’s comments: “Back when I was in Congress, if then President Obama had uttered even just one of these sentences below, we Republicans would’ve screamed, impeachment proceedings would’ve begun, Republican voters would be out protesting with their “don’t tread on me” flags, Fox News would declare a national emergency, and Sean Hannity would’ve gotten so worked up he would’ve had a heart attack on air.”

The fracture in MAGA on the issue comes as Trump’s approval ratings hit a historic low ahead of mid-term elections that could spell the beginning of the end for his presidency.

In recent months, Trump has stressed the importance of the Republican Party maintaining control in the House of Representatives and the Senate in order to minimise opposition to his policy agenda.

Failure of a second-term president to maintain control historically sees their power wane and key party members focus shift to the forthcoming presidential election.