This is the insidious thing about authoritarianism. Once they have power, they can crush any dissent no matter what the dissenters do.

Peaceful protest? Crush it. If it gains any actual traction, just pretend it’s violent to justify violent oppression. Facts don’t matter and words can casually justify any action, no matter how heinous.

But violent opposition? The authoritarians dream of this, because it’s justification to bring everything they have to bear with zero accountability or justification. And since they are in power, they will have much greater force at their disposal. This is why Americas founders originally opposed the very idea of a professional standing army.