“He’s not going to sign a bill that doesn’t have money for the wall,” Graham vowed on Jan. 2, just over a week into the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

“I’ll tell you exactly how this is going to end. The president is going to challenge the Democrats to compromise, and if they continue to say no, they’re going to pay a price with the American people. ... If he gives in now, that’s the end of 2019 in terms of him being an effective president. That’s probably the end of his presidency.”

Trump’s agreement Friday to reopen the government in exchange for $0 for his wall isn’t the end of negotiations, but he appears to have little left to bargain with in a face-off with empowered Democrats. He failed to win an allocation for his wall last year when the GOP was in charge of both the Senate and the House. Trump tweeted defensively Saturday morning that his decision “was in no way a concession.”

Graham tried to put the best spin on the latest development. He called it the “last best chance to take a major step toward fixing broken borders,” adding: “Thank you Mr. President.”

Hope Congress - in a bipartisan fashion - will work with the President and take advantage of this moment.



Last best chance to take a major step toward fixing broken borders and a broken immigration system.



Thank you Mr. President.



Let’s make this a win-win for America! — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 25, 2019

Twitter reminded Graham of his prediction — and that the president gained no new ground with the shutdown.

I thought this was the end of his Presidency? — #FuckTheBern (@amaninacity) January 25, 2019

You guys passed a spending bill 100-0. The President refused to sign it. This whole thing was completely pointless. — Jaclyn Olivia (@jaclyn_Olivia) January 25, 2019

What are you thanking the President for....... this is the same deal he rejected 35 days and 800,000 American families' withheld paychecks ago. — covert 𝓁𝒶𝓇𝓇𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑔𝓁𝑒 (@kashoobs) January 25, 2019

No wall. Sorry Lindsey! — William LeGate (@williamlegate) January 25, 2019

It must be tiring jumping from one side of the fence to the other. — Maggiemo (@Margare86751378) January 25, 2019

wait a second! you promised us this would be the end this presidency! — Rob Roy (@realrobroy) January 26, 2019