DONALD Trump has held a news conference where he said Congressman Steve Scalise is “in some trouble” after being shot during Republican baseball practice

In a press conference, the US President said Mr Scalise was a “great fighter” but that he was in a worse condition than many people realised.

“It’s been much more difficult than people even thought at that time,” Mr Trump said. “He’s in some trouble,” he said.

The House Majority Whip was one of five people shot by gunman James Hodgkinson at an early-morning baseball practice attended by about two dozen Republican politicians.

He was initially said to be in a stable condition but that was downgraded to a critical condition on his way to hospital.

Mr Trump visited Mr Scalise at the MedStar Washington Hospital Centre on Wednesday evening, expressed optimism that he would eventually recover.

“He’s going to be OK, we hope,” Mr Trump said.

Matt Mika, a lobbyist for Tyson Foods, was also in a critical condition after coming out of surgery. Congressional staffer Zack Barth was shot in the leg.

Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner was in a “good condition” after being shot in the ankle, while her colleague David Bailey suffered a minor injury.