That's all this was. Trump wanted the wiggle room of an increased debt ceiling to pass now before his inauguration, that way he and the Republicans wouldn't have to take the blame for raising the debt ceiling when they take full control of the government, despite campaign promises of reducing debt and waste.
Last time Trump tried to play chess, he asked why the board wasn't red and black. Democrats didn't blink here, so now the pressure is really on the Republicans to deliver.