There are actually rules in place for when and why for can stop trading. Also, typically you see money managers trading in the late afternoon so that is when you see more action and big upswing or downturn. Really has nothing to do with the politicians say. Sometimes it reacts to what the feds say or a big announcement like AIG but rarely does it react to Washington.
Well the market reacted when *ickhead harry reid came out and announced that a major insurance company was going to declare bankruptcy. Insurance stocks to a big hit the next day. I don’t know if its the exception, but it happened. And look what the price of oil and gas does when the secretary of energy opens his mouth. A politician just the same. JMT!