Thousands of armed troops, an Aussie reporter shot and exactly what's going on in LA right now.

The National Guard and the Marines have been deployed into Los Angeles, the Californian government will reportedly sue the Trump administration, and an Australian reporter has been shot as protests in the city's downtown area enter a fourth day.

Chaos has unfolded across the city — and America — after demonstrators took to the streets to rally against President Donald Trump's immigration orders.

At least 72 people were arrested over the weekend, authorities said.

This is what we know about the unfolding situation.

LAPD officers confronting protesters in Los Angeles. Image: Getty.

Why are people protesting?

The protests were sparked on Friday, local time, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers carried out raids across the city's garment district to search for undocumented workers.

On Saturday, the demonstrations continued downtown and in the mostly Latino and working-class suburb of Paramount. Over the weekend, the demonstrations turned violent as protesters clashed with officers and the National Guard.

The raids have come as part of Trump's goal to enact the "biggest deportation operation" in US history.

LA is widely considered one of America's most multicultural cities, which is why it has become a focal point of ICE's operations.

Listen to The Quicky discuss the LA protests here. Post continues below.

What happened to Lauren Tomasi?

US correspondent for 9News, Lauren Tomasi, was hit by a rubber bullet in the heart of downtown LA, while covering the unrest yesterday.

A camera operator captured the moment a police officer lined up the shot and fired at Tomasi, who was hit in the leg.

Watch the moment Lauren Tomasi was hit by a bullet in the US protests. Post continues after video.

The Australian reporter later posted to social media platform X about the incident.

"Hey there. Thanks for all your messages — I'm a bit sore, but I'm okay," Tomasi wrote. "Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told."

Nine Entertainment Company also issued a statement in response to the incident, writing: "This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information."

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement declaring that "all journalists should be able to do their work safely."

The incident has drawn international outrage, with many stating it breaches freedom of the press — a fundamental principle for a working democracy.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) today confirmed they are launching a formal investigation, according to 9News.

Why was the National Guard deployed?

On Saturday, Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops into the city to help restore order.

Approximately 300 members of the California National Guard are currently in the city.

Today, Trump requested an additional 2,000 California National Guard members to be deployed into LA to support ICE amid the ongoing protests as the situation between him and California Governor Gavin Newsom devolves.

Part of the National Guard's role is to help protect federal agents, including ICE and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel, carry out their duties. However, many are calling Trump's response heavy-handed and unlawful.

ICE officers and national guards confront protesters in Los Angeles. Image: Getty.

"At the order of the President, the Department of Defense is mobilising an additional 2,000 California National Guard to be called into federal service to support ICE and to enable federal law-enforcement officers to safely conduct their duties," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in an X post on Monday.

A battalion of 700 Marines have also been activated to protect federal property and personnel.

It's the first time in more than 30 years Marines have been sent into a US city to address civil unrest.

Why are Trump and Newsom locking heads?

Tensions between Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom escalated over the move to bring in National Guard and Marines to counter the protests.

Newsom, a Democrat, has called the move illegal, branded Trump a dictator, and said California will sue the Trump administration over its orders.

"They shouldn't be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfil the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President," Newsom wrote in a message on X. "This is un-American."

Trump in turn has said he would support Newsom's arrest, a response that Newsom branded, "an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism".

"The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor," he posted on X.

"This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation."

But it's not just Newsom who is speaking out against the federal interventions.

Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass, said the city is gripped with fear over where ICE will strike next.

"I can't emphasise enough the level of fear and terror that is in Angelenos right now, not knowing if tomorrow or tonight it might be where they live, it might be their workplace, should you send your kids to school, should you go to work," she told reporters during a news conference on Monday.

Bass said the violence escalated because of the intervention of the Trump administration.

"On Thursday, the city was peaceful," Bass said. "On Friday, it was not because of the intervention of the federal government."

Feature Image: 9 News/Getty.