Australian PM Albanese raises issue of reporter shooting during LA protest with US authorities

Television news reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg when she was covering the protest for Australia's Nine Network News on Sunday.

The rubber bullet, which hit the journalist, was reportedly shot by a police officer in the city's downtown area.

Speaking to reporters, Albanese said, "I spoke with Lauren this morning and she's going ok. She's pretty resilient, I've got to say, but that footage was horrific."

He said: "That was the footage of an Australian journalist doing what journalists do at their very best, at their very best, which is to go into an environment that's not comfortable. But where, in LA, it is not unreasonable to think that she would not have been targeted with a rubber bullet."

"It is not unreasonable to think that she could go about her coverage, clearly, as people can see in the footage, clearly identified as media. And so we have already raised these issues with the US administration," he said.

"We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," Albanese said.

Tension Escalating In LA

The US military on Monday confirmed that hundreds of active-duty US Marines are to be deployed in Los Angeles, the city witnessing violent protests against government immigration raids and deportations.

Meanwhile, Trump is threatening to send additional troops to the city to quell the protest, which sparked off over the weekend.

U.S. Northern Command said it has activated the Marine infantry battalion that was placed in an alert status over the weekend.

"Approximately 700 Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division will seamlessly integrate with the Title 10 forces under Task Force 51 who are protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area," U.S. Northern Command said in a statement.

1,700 National Guard Troops Are Currently Operating In Los Angeles

U.S. Northern Command said till June 9 there are approximately 1700 soldiers from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a California National Guard unit in a Title 10 status, in the greater Los Angeles Area.

"The activation of the Marines is intended to provide Task Force 51 with adequate numbers of forces to provide continuous coverage of the area in support of the lead federal agency," the Command said.

Task Force 51 is comprised of approximately 2,100 National Guard soldiers in a Title 10 status and 700 active-duty Marines.

Task Force 51 forces have been trained in de-escalation, crowd control, and standing rules for the use of force.

President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Defense to deploy an additional 2,000 California National Guard members to Los Angeles amid escalating tension in the city.

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

After LA, similar protests have been reported from other US cities, including Louisville, Kentucky, and in Dallas.