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U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised Alex Pretti, the man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, saying he “should not have been carrying a gun” or fully loaded magazines, remarks that have drawn immediate pushback from gun rights groups and some members of his own party.
Asked whether he agreed with administration officials who labelled Pretti a domestic terrorist, Trump said: “I haven't heard that, but certainly shouldn't have been carrying a gun.”
Speaking to reporters at a restaurant in Iowa, he added: “He had a gun. I don't like that. He had two fully loaded magazines. That's a lot of bad stuff. And despite that, I'd say that's...very unfortunate.”
Reuters reported on Weddnesady that Pretti, a licensed concealed-weapons holder, was shot during an immigration enforcement operation on Saturday.
Video captured by bystanders shows that he never brandished his weapon, contradicting some early claims from Trump officials that he posed an immediate threat to law enforcement.
Gun rights organisations including the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America defended Pretti’s legal right to carry a firearm.
Luis Valdes, spokesman for Gun Owners of America, said: “You absolutely can walk around with a gun, and you absolutely can peacefully protest while armed. It's an American historical tradition that dates all the way back to the Boston Tea Party. We are not happy,” he added, in reference to Trump’s comments.
The remarks have highlighted growing friction between Trump and a key Republican voting bloc ahead of November’s midterm elections.
During his Iowa visit, Trump also noted that his border czar, Tom Homan, had met Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and was expected to meet Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey later on Tuesday. - January 28, 2026