President Donald Trump’s October 2026 statements declining to rule out invocation of the Insurrection Act ahead of the November midterms form the primary driver of market attention. In a Time interview, he indicated he “could use it” and would assess developments “in court,” amid polling showing potential Republican losses in the House or Senate and ongoing administration focus on immigration enforcement and election security. The statute has not been formally invoked since 1992, though Trump considered or referenced it during 2020 protests, 2025 ICE-related unrest in Minneapolis, and border operations. No current deployment uses the Act; separate authorities have supported National Guard actions. Key near-term catalysts include any escalation in protests, court rulings on related powers, or post-election disputes that could prompt or constrain presidential action before Congress convenes in January.