Everything Trump has been doing so far seems to be towards weakening American democracy - he already has his flock of sheep in the House and Senate, who offer him no opposition whatsoever.
To be fair, he's only been president for four months, I think it's too early to conclude that what Trump is doing is damaging the economy and America's reputation internationally.
Then he shut down the department of education, because he wants to eliminate the middle class, so the country will become dumber and weaker.
As far as I know, the reason he dissolved the Department of Education was because he wanted to reduce federal interference in the Department of Education, returning control of education to the states and localities. In addition, there are other reasons such as corruption, increasing power for parents in choosing schools for their children...
He is reforming education according to his ideas, not eliminating or completely destroying education in the United States.
He is removing anyone he does not consider "loyal" to him, so will end up surrounded by yes men, like the weakest dictators all over the world who don't allow any other thought except his. Then he wants to dismantle the judges, as the supreme court - which he has still stacked but are more independent than other places - will be the final piece to fall. Tariffs are all a distraction, but one that is heavily damaging.
This is the nature and way politics works, is any politician kind or naive enough to keep disloyalists or allies of the opposition? Isn't that like shooting yourself in the foot? The same thing will happen if the Democrats take over the White House, they will also remove those close to and loyal to Trump.