What action is advised to defuse a potentially violent situation at a federal facility?

In a potentially violent situation, the advised action is to attempt to verbally separate the involved parties. This approach aims to de-escalate the situation by creating a space between individuals who may be in conflict. By using verbal communication, one can help to calm emotions, reduce tension, and prevent the conflict from escalating further.

Engaging verbally allows for the possibility of conveying a sense of safety and rationality, which can be crucial in high-stress environments like a federal facility. It emphasizes the importance of dialogue while keeping physical distance to minimize the risk of violence.

Other choices, while they may seem reasonable in certain contexts, do not effectively prioritize safety or de-escalation. For example, contacting law enforcement is often necessary, but it doesn't directly address the immediate need to reduce tension in the moment. Encouraging resolution off property could remove individuals from the situation but may not be feasible if emotions are running high. Directly confronting an aggressor could provoke further aggression, making the situation more dangerous. Thus, attempting to verbally separate the involved parties is the most effective and safest strategy in this scenario.