At the ADA 2026 conference, police escorted five researchers out for handing out an editorial published in *Diabetes Care* that criticized federal administration actions threatening research funding and public health. Among those removed were Justin Ryder of Northwestern University and Steven Kahn, editor-in-chief of *Diabetes Care*.

The researchers planned to distribute the editorial as an alternative viewpoint ahead of a talk by Jayanta Bhattacharya, director of the NIH. Ryder said security gave no warning before forcibly removing them, while Kahn noted they were never informed of rules requiring prior permission. The ADA claimed the researchers violated its code of conduct and nonpartisan policy.

Outside researchers condemned the removals. Craig Kaplan of the University of Pittsburgh called it "provocative" but said the editorial raised vital issues. Justin Blumenstiel of the University of Kansas warned that suppressing dissent corrodes scientific leadership. The ADA later offered a meeting with leadership but no apology; all five researchers declined to return.