Being hands off and assuming it will blow over once people calm down is a mistake and is certainly a sign of weakness. It isn't de-escalation, it is giving ground that you then have to wrestle back. De-escalation is a combination of letting people burn off their anger while standing firm and making it clear who is actually in charge. This is plain old retreat for whatever reason.
That doesn't mean roll in the tanks, but you do need to establish control and demonstrate that there is only one authority in the US. It's the one provided by a legal election determined by the citizen, not the mob. You are going to need to make an example, though that doesn't necessarily mean a violent one. Depends a lot on the opposition.
