'No Kings' protests against Trump take place across US ahead of military parade

Thousands of people have gathered in cities across the US to join protests against President Donald Trump, hours ahead of his military parade in Washington DC.

The demonstrations organised by a group called "No Kings" was billed as a nationwide day of defiance of his policies.

Lawmakers, union leaders, and activists gave speeches in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Houston to crowds waving American flags and signs critical of Trump.

The military parade, scheduled for Saturday evening, is timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army and it is also Trump's birthday.

He has warned that protesters who demonstrate at the military parade would be "met with very big force".

Some politicians and former military leaders have criticised the event as a politicisation of the US military.

In Los Angeles, California, leaders and law enforcement remained on high alert after a week of protests against a series of immigration raids sparked protests across the city.

The city has remained on edge after Trump federalised the state's National Guard contingent to respond to the protest against Governor Gavin Newsom's wishes.

"Given what has been happening over the last week, and not just in Los Angeles, but in cities throughout the country, that's added in a whole other layer of concern," Mayor Karen Bass said.

The "No Kings" group takes its name from a criticism that Trump has overstepped the limits of presidential power in second term.

His early slate of executive orders, mass firings of federal workers, and sudden deportations have been met with hundreds of lawsuits, alleging the administration had violated the US Constitution and various laws and procedures.

Demonstrations in the state of Minnesota were cancelled after attacks on two state lawmakers on Saturday. One lawmaker was killed and another injured in the shooting.