A College Republican at the University of Utah faced expulsion threats after exposing a student who celebrated conservative icon Charlie Kirk’s public attack with a cake — until the Department of Justice intervened and the university backed down completely.
On September 10th, marking one year since Kirk’s public attack, a woman approached College Republicans Riley Beesley and Rylie Barnes at their campus voter-registration table. She presented them with a cake reading “Happy Kirkiversary” written in red icing. The students photographed it and shared the image online.
The photo went viral. An X user identified the student as Sara Larsen, who appeared to be posing for the camera while holding up the cake.
The University of Utah’s College Democrats chapter condemned the Republicans for posting the photo — calling it a “campaign of hate.”
“On September 10th, 2026, a student at the University of Utah made a distasteful joke about the attack on Charlie Kirk. In response, the University of Utah College Republicans posted an image of her online with the intention of publicly shaming her. College Democrats at the University of Utah condemn the online harassment and cyberbullying perpetrated by the College Republicans in the strongest possible terms. No student on our campus should ever feel unsafe because of the actions of a student organization.”
Recently, leadership in the @UofUGOP have been waging a campaign of hate against University of Utah students. CDUU condemn online harassment and call on @UUtah to do the same.
Read our full statement below: pic.twitter.com/GGZh8zZqeS
— College Democrats at the University of Utah (@uofutahdems) September 12, 2026
Larsen initially apologized publicly on Friday.
“Yesterday I made a joke about Charlie Kirk’s attack. My actions and my words are my own. I do not represent anyone other than myself. Upon reflection, it was wrong for me to celebrate, or perpetuate the celebration of, Charlie Kirk’s loss. I apologize for doing so sincerely. Nobody should be targeted or persecuted for their speech.”
The College Republicans accepted her apology: “We forgive you, Sara. Thank you for sincerely apologizing. With honest and humble intent, all should be allowed forgiveness.”
We forgive you, Sara. Thank you for sincerely apologizing. With honest and humble intent, all should be allowed forgiveness.
— University of Utah College Republicans https://t.co/MIAFH8SXzm
— University of Utah College Republicans (@UofUGOP) September 12, 2026
But the apology was a smokescreen.
Barnes revealed Tuesday that Larsen was allegedly coordinating a protest, petition, and campaign to expel her from the university — despite the public reconciliation.
“Sara is seeking retribution against me for highlighting her cake. She is allegedly helping coordinate a protest, petition, and effort to expel me.”
Sara is seeking retribution against me for highlighting her cake. She is allegedly helping coordinate a protest, petition, and effort to expel me. pic.twitter.com/ZxeZ3x23b0
— Rylie (@Rylieparis05) September 15, 2026
A Change.org petition titled “Stop the College of Republicans” gained more than 800 verified signatures as of Thursday. Three left-leaning campus organizations, including College Democrats at the University of Utah, endorsed the petition in a joint Instagram post.
University leadership summoned Barnes and Beesley to a disciplinary hearing Tuesday, investigating them for allegedly attempting to “doxx another University of Utah student over a political issue.” The charge: “Threatening or endangering behavior.”
The University of Utah wants to EXPEL us over “Threatening or endangering behavior”
This is wrong and an attempt to silence Republican voices.
Sara voluntarily came up to our booth and posed for pictures holding her cake mocking Charlie Kirk’s case. https://t.co/OiBm3aqwz2pic.twitter.com/a0cgPRIMSt
— Riley Beesley (@rileybeesley) September 16, 2026
That’s when the DOJ stepped in.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon posted Tuesday night: “Utah … wth [what the heck] is going on over there.”
Utah … wth is going on over there https://t.co/Zp0RGtOvZ8
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) September 16, 2026
Independent journalist Nick Sortor connected the students to Turning Point USA. Kirk’s widow Erika, now CEO of Turning Point, insisted on paying for legal representation.
Wednesday morning, the university canceled the hearing.
.@NickSortor flagged this University of Utah saga for me late last night and it’s one of the most enraging stories I can remember. He came on the show today to give us the latest.
ICYMI: Two University of Utah students were registering voters. A girl walks up with a “Happy… https://t.co/AP0WLC6XXopic.twitter.com/TqAEEI0lkT
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) September 16, 2026
Thursday, Barnes announced the case was “FULLY DISMISSED.” University of Utah Dean of Students Jason Ramirez sent an email confirming the reversal.
“I reviewed your case and the information shared that led to you being charged under University policy. Based on that review, I do not believe there are grounds to charge you for a violation of University policy. I will be formally dismissing the case against you and ensuring there is no record in your University file. I will also be reviewing the staff member’s decision and making the appropriate adjustments to our processes to ensure that this doesn’t occur in the future.”
MY CASE IS FULLY DISMISSED.
This wouldn’t have happened without the outpour of support we received online. Thank you!
TOTAL COLLEGE REPUBLICAN VICTORY pic.twitter.com/R0pYn1F92L
— Rylie (@Rylieparis05) September 17, 2026
In celebration, Barnes posed with her own cake. It read: “Don’t celebrate MURDER.”
Don’t celebrate murder. https://t.co/Dq4dMBesD2
— Rylie (@Rylieparis05) September 16, 2026
The College Republicans declared on X: “CAVED TO ZERO DEMANDS. YOU TYRANTS LOST. TOTAL COLLEGE REPUBLICAN VICTORY.”
CAVED TO ZERO DEMANDS. YOU TYRANTS LOST.
TOTAL COLLEGE REPUBLICAN VICTORY. https://t.co/AXoCdMsNHVpic.twitter.com/pgwwv0L5OV
— University of Utah College Republicans (@UofUGOP) September 16, 2026









