A couple months ago the findings against Hunter Biden were nothing, not even worth taking to court, only under GOP pressure did the Trump appointed prosecutor take it to court. Now it seems like a big deal and 17 years (max). What happened? Why the change? Was new evidence found?
There’s no new evidence. Republicans are basically actively pursuing max level penalties for charges that are routinely just assessed with a fine or other punishment.
For example, the tax issues, normally the IRS just levy a fine for the unpaid tax crimes and a bit more to be paid, then they’re fine with it. Since they’re getting their money and then some.
There technically can be criminal charges and jail time assigned to said unpaid taxes, it’s just the IRS normally doesn’t care to pursue that. Since it doesn’t get them their money, which is all that’s really at issue.
But Republicans are pushing for the max level jail time charges for these crimes now, rather than how they are normally dealt with.