[hvidgaard]

That breaks a very simple rule that a VCS tools should adhere consistently. Do not make destructive changes unless explicitly told to. Since most other commands to not allow you to do this without -f, the same should apply here.

[jorams]

I'm not sure I see your point. The entire reason `git push --mirror` exists is to turn the remote end into a mirror of the local end. By definition that's a destructive operation. What would it do without a further --force?

If you just want to push all branches or tags you should use --all or --tags.

[hvidgaard]

Because you normally cannot make remote destructive changes without the --force. Unless you know the commands that does that by default. That is bad UX.