Full Breakdown
Police Remove Diabetes Researchers from ADA Conference Over Editorial Distribution
6/6/2026, 3:59:28 AM
Core Incident at ADA Conference
On Friday, June 5, 2026, at the American Diabetes Association meeting in New Orleans, several diabetes researchers were escorted out after distributing an editorial that criticized the Trump administration’s NIH budget cuts and related policies. Security asked them to leave, tried to seize the papers, and police warned that returning would be trespassing.
Policy Background
The editorial, published in the ADA’s flagship journal, outlined how recent NIH funding reductions and other Trump administration actions have been framed as attacks on scientific research, with reported negative effects on diabetes study outcomes.
Key Participants
Researchers included Dr. Aaron Kelly (University of Minnesota) and Dr. Justin Ryder (Northwestern Medicine). Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH director, was slated to speak but was replaced by a senior NIH adviser. Conference organizers and a Louisiana State Police public affairs representative also participated.
Timeline of Events
- Morning, June 5: Researchers hand out editorial at ADA conference.
- Minutes before NIH talk: Organizers cancel Dr. Bhattacharya’s session; senior adviser steps in.
- Security asks researchers to leave, attempts to seize papers.
- Researchers re-enter via another entrance; security and police confront them again.
- Police warn further presence is trespassing and could lead to arrest; badges taken.
Official Response
A Louisiana State Police public affairs representative said organizers asked police to remove several individuals. The source includes no comment from the ADA or the Trump administration.
Dissent and Criticism
The researchers described the police actions as intimidation; Dr. Kelly said officers were clearly trying to intimidate the scientists. The editorial frames the administration’s funding cuts as harmful to diabetes research, echoing broader scientific criticism.
On-site Account
Video from MedPage Today shows a tense confrontation, including a uniformed officer placing his hands on an expert. Researchers reported badge confiscation and a directive not to re-enter the venue.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The source lacks statements from ADA leadership or the Trump administration and does not explain why Dr. Bhattacharya’s talk was canceled. The exact number of researchers removed and the legal basis for police action remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They were clearly trying to intimidate us,” — Dr. Aaron Kelly, University of Minnesota
- “A public affairs representative for the Louisiana State Police said event organizers had requested the police’s assistance with removing several people from the event.” — Louisiana State Police rep
- “The police told the researchers they would be trespassing and would be arrested if they set foot on the premises again, said Justin Ryder, a pediatric obesity researcher at Northwestern Medicine who had been handing out copies of the editorial.” — Dr. Justin Ryder, Northwestern Medicine
Future Developments
The source does not contain any statements about forthcoming investigations, policy changes, or conference actions related to the incident.
