The federal government is rarely the actor that does most of the damage. Most of the action comes from extremely racist MAGA-type populists going around burning property and attacking people en masse. See also the Chinese Exclusion Act.

This is the way “authorities” work. They sit quiet while the “unofficial volunteers” wreak havoc. If the authorities disagree with a groups actions they make take action against them. Otherwise inaction means they tacitly support it.