On September 10, Rylie Barnes, a College Republicans leader at the University of Utah, posted a photo to X of a fellow student posing with a cake that read "Happy Kirkiversary" — a celebration of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk's death. The post racked up 6.3 million views.

The University of Utah responded by opening a formal investigation into Barnes and fellow College Republicans leader Riley Beesley.

Not into the student who baked a cake celebrating a man's violent death. Into the students who criticized her for it.

The student in question, Sara Larsen, has since posted an apology, writing, "Upon reflection, it was wrong for me to celebrate, or perpetuate the celebration of, Charlie Kirk's death." The University of Utah's Office of the Dean of Students sent investigation emails to Barnes and Beesley on September 11, accusing them of "doxxing" — which, translated from administrator, means "sharing a photo that went viral and made us look bad."

Barnes said the post was deliberate and unapologetic. "We found her behavior appalling, vile, and disgusting," she said. "Parents, alumni, and good Utahns alike deserve to know what is happening on college campuses."

The investigation puts both Barnes and Beesley at risk of expulsion. For posting a photo. Of a cake. That someone else made. Celebrating someone's death.

Meanwhile, the University of Utah College Democrats teamed up with the Sunrise Movement and the Queer Student Union to organize a protest against the College Republicans. About 25 students showed up. Barnes wasn't impressed, "I wouldn't even call it a protest. It didn't amount to much."

Ian Jacobson, a representative for the College Democrats, insisted, "We are not trying to get rid of, or expel, them." That's generous of him, considering the university's own administration appears to be doing that work without any outside help.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in through campus advocacy counsel Maddy Bartsche, who stated plainly what shouldn't need stating: "Both responses are protected expressions and should not be punished." Larsen had every right to bake her morbid little cake. Barnes had every right to photograph it and tell the world. One of those actions drew six million eyeballs and universal disgust. The other drew a formal investigation.

The university managed to find the one response that makes both sides look reasonable by comparison — punishing the speech that exposed the speech. Daylan Alzamora, the chapter chair of the University of Utah College Republicans, now has to navigate his organization through an administrative process designed to treat a social media post like a disciplinary offense.

A recent survey found that 31 percent of college students believe violence is acceptable to stop campus speech they disagree with. The University of Utah apparently believes bureaucratic violence works just as well. No fists required — just a dean's letterhead and a vague accusation of "doxxing" to accomplish what a mob couldn't.

The meeting between the dean's office and the student leaders has been postponed. No word on whether the cake has been entered into evidence.