Veteran writer says FBI visit followed SVA criticism

Following her public criticism of Student Veterans of America, the FBI visited her home, according to a Marine veteran and nonprofit monitor. The FBI's visit followed weeks of harsh criticism of Student Veterans of America and its former CEO, Jared Lyon, according to veteran nonprofit governance and accountability writer Elizabeth Hartman.

During a hunting trip, Hartman saw a missed call with the phrase "Hey, Ms. Hartman." She represented the FBI. She quickly called her attorney and found that the agent had arrived at her home.

Hartman said the agent was there to “confirm [she] was not a threat to national security,” referring to submissions about her posts.

“Discovering that the FBI is at your front door is truly one of the most frightening experiences an individual can face,” Hartman said.

She declined queries without legal representation. She said she handled the claims with her counsel and will take no further action. Hartman wrote “Please Stop Digging: The Day the FBI Showed Up at My Door” for Substack in December 2025.

Hartman was upset to learn SVA allows non-veterans to join. She then examined the group's IRS Form 990 filings, focusing on CEO salaries and board governance.

Lyon's reportable salary rose 60% from $258,596 in fiscal 2023 to $288,939 in fiscal 2024 and $412,500 in fiscal 2025, according to SVA's public disclosures.

Hartman later learned that the FBI had received several of her posts, including hunting-related rifle photographs. She said her shooting metaphors, including as “over target,” were misinterpreted as threats.

She rejected reports that agents asked if she planned to damage Lyon or engage in violence at an SVA gathering.

Hartman received a cease-and-desist letter from Lyon's attorney after the FBI's outreach, warning of possible defamation legal action. The correspondence claimed her internet remarks were death threats and that police had stolen her firearms.

“I am not under criminal investigation.I did not issue any death threats, and the police did not confiscate any weapons from me,” Hartman said.

A cease-and-desist letter is not a court order and does not impose any obligations, say lawyers. Defamation requires false statements of fact and genuine malice, especially in public interest discourse.

Hartman said her report was based solely on public documents and reflected her opinion.