Five prominent diabetes researchers were forcibly removed from the American Diabetes Association annual meeting in New Orleans after distributing editorial reprints critical of the Trump administration's research policies. The group included Steven Kahn, editor-in-chief of Diabetes Care and University of Washington professor, along with scholars from Harvard, Northwestern, and the University of Minnesota. They were handing out copies of the April 29 Diabetes Care editorial outside a session featuring NIH leadership.

The American Diabetes Association confirmed removing the five registered attendees, citing violations of their conference code of conduct that prohibits protesting and disruptive behavior. ADA security teams physically escorted the scientists from the venue after determining their distribution activities were inconsistent with professional standards. NIH director Jay Bhattacharya cancelled his scheduled appearance, though the timing suggests potential tension between the organizations.

Aaron Kelly of the University of Minnesota described being grabbed and having his conference credentials taken, calling it a stark moment for scientific discourse. The incident illuminates growing friction between research institutions and political oversight of scientific funding, particularly as federal agencies face increased scrutiny over grant allocation and research priorities.

The removal of established researchers from a major medical conference raises fundamental questions about how scientific criticism can be communicated within institutional settings. This incident demonstrates the growing tension between scientific communication and organizational control over messaging.