Biden's DOJ does an 11th hour U-turn as it's forced to clarify it does NOT want ... trends now

The Justice Department on Sunday told a New York judge they do not wish to see Hunter Biden's former business associate imprisoned before he testifies about their schemes.

Devon Archer is due to testify to Congress, behind closed doors, on Monday.

It was suggested that the Justice Department wanted him arrested first, but on Sunday they wrote a letter clarifying that he must be free to testify before any such steps are taken.

The Department of Justice sent a letter to a judge Saturday urging an expedited sentencing for Archer - for an unrelated fraud conviction - in what was seen as a last-minute attempt to stop his testimony. 

Republicans say the move by DOJ was an attempt to 'intimidate' Archer, who they view as being central to providing information that is critical to their ongoing investigation into the Biden family's business dealings.

Top Republican James Comer said Sunday that DOJ's highly unusual action on a Saturday was an attempt to 'intimidate' the witness he says key to getting to the bottom of the president's son's shady overseas business deals. 

He said on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures: 'It's odd that it's right before he's scheduled to come in to have an opportunity to speak in front of the House Oversight Committee and tell the American people the truth about what really went on with Burisma.' 

Hours later, the Justice Department issued a new letter saying they never intended to see Archer locked up before he testified to Congress. 

Joe Biden on Sunday appeared the picture of calm on Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, despite reports that Archer plans to implicate Joe in his son's foreign business schemes.

Archer is expected to provide details that will challenge the White House's insistence that Joe Biden never had any knowledge of or involvement in his wayward son's business affairs. 

A source close to Archer confirmed reports that he is set to testify about meetings he attended with his and Hunter's foreign business partners, where the First Son allegedly had Joe Biden on speakerphone. 

DailyMail.com reported exclusively this week that Archer is 'in hiding' after receiving 'threats' leading up to his bombshell testimony. 

But such testimony appeared to be far from the president's mind who was seen relaxing on the sands in 80 degree sunshine during the 10-day trip to his beach home.

Since taking office, Biden has spent 360 days, some 39 percent of his presidency, on vacation with hundreds of days outside of Washington D.C.

The president and his wife Jill could be seen strolling to the private beach of North Shores which is for residents only and accessible only with a permit.

Biden could be seen carrying a towel over his shoulder together with a reusable shopping bag from a local bookstore. 

Dressed in a navy T-shirt, baseball cap and blue swimming shorts, he walked alongside his wife who was also seen wearing a violet cover-up, white top and baseball cap.

Biden's staff notes that the presidency follows him wherever he goes, so the president will continue to receive security briefings and have access to aides who join him on the trip. 

Last week, Biden managed to avoid making any new comments about his son's predicament, after a plea deal that would have had him avoid jail time fell apart under withering questioning by a federal judge. 

As he lazed about on the sands, it appeared as though Joe was leafing through some government papers, while Jill looked to be engrossed in a hardback of sorts.