A THIRD round of No Kings protests are to take place across the United States, with organisers predicting the largest demonstrations yet against President Donald Trump’s leadership in the wake of the killing of activists by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers in Minneapolis.

Previous rallies have drawn million of people and organisers say turnout could be even higher on March 28 following the killings during an immigration crackdown in the Minnesota city. 

Ezra Levin, co-executive director of the advocacy group Indivisible, said as many as nine million people could take part nationwide.

No Kings protests, organised by a coalition of grassroots groups, have become a focal point for opposition to Mr Trump’s attempts to concentrate power in his own person. 

“This is a response to attacks on our democracy and communities and the sense that nobody’s coming to save us,” Mr Levin said.

Plans for the third round were already under way before the recent events in Minneapolis, but the brutal shootings have reshaped the demonstrations’ focus. Mr Levin said organisers want to show solidarity with immigrant communities and oppose “a secret police force infringing on constitutional rights.”

Mr Trump has defended his deportation campaign, blaming problems on local officials’ refusal to co-operate. 

But he has recently softened his tone amid bipartisan concern over the killing of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti. On Tuesday, he said a “big investigation” was under way and claimed it would be “honourable and honest.”

The White House has sought to distance Mr Trump from earlier comments by senior officials branding Mr Pretti a domestic terrorist, which were disproved by evidence from video footage. 

Immigration agents continued operating across the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, though it was unclear whether their tactics had changed.

Tensions spilt into public events this week as a man was tackled after spraying an unknown substance at Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall meeting.

At the Ecuadorean consulate in the city, an Ice agent was rebuffed after attempting to enter the building, prompting a formal diplomatic protest.

International law generally prohibits law enforcement authorities from entering foreign consulates or embassies without permission, although Ice officers have frequently exceeded their powers.

Former federal prosecutor Anders Folk said there may be a legal pathway for Minnesota to charge the officers involved in Mr Pretti’s killing, though any case would probably hinge on federal immunity rules.