Somewhere I read recently that the reason it's always controversial how many people show up to a demonstration in DC is because of the flight restrictions preventing aircraft from being overhead.
So some people want a big number and others want a small one, and either way it's hard to prove. I'd assume drones are a way around that.
When this kind of force is only deployed against a specific political demographic, yes it's a bad thing. BLM protestors get shock troops, tear gas, black vans and drones, while pro-Trump insurgents get treated like gentlemen, and get to take selfies with the police who should be arresting them.
It's pretty clear this was more about intimidation than law enforcement.
In what way is a RC helicopter with a camera on it in a public place "force"?
And with regards to force it's not "only deployed against a specific political demographic". Tons of the BLM protests over the last year went by without any major intervention from law enforcement. In fact, in plenty of cities the police departments outright stated that they supported the protests and did the whole "kneel in solidarity" thing. Call it an empty gesture if you like but it's a far cry from what you're describing. I watched tons of livestreams during that time. It was usually only when the looting, random assaults, arson, etc. got out of hand that serious riot control measures were put in place. And even then, lots of police departments seemed to think that it was better to just let the city get looted and burned than to risk more bad press for the Police by engaging the perpetrators. Not sure what you mean by "pro-Trump insurgents get treated like gentlemen, and get to take selfies with the police who should be arresting them" - if you're referring to January 6th, then perhaps you're remembering wrong. There was tear gas all over the place and 4 of the pro-Trump rioters were killed by law enforcement.