Presidential candidates hit the campaign trail

By Veronica Stracqualursi, Kate Sullivan, Joe Ruiz and Kate Grise, CNN

Updated 8:57 p.m. ET, February 16, 2019
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12:25 p.m. ET, February 16, 2019

Gillibrand takes a 'risk' campaigning in New Hampshire

By Veronica Stracqualursi

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was joined by her husband Jonathan and their 10-year-old son Henry as she campaigns through New Hampshire today, hoping to glide her way to the Democratic nomination.

After leaving a coffee shop where his mom spoke to potential voters, Henry discovered an icy patch he could slide around on.

Gillibrand then joined her son on the ice.

After sliding along the ice twice -- both times without falling -- Gillibrand said: "We did it. Let's go! Enough risk for today."

1:51 p.m. ET, February 16, 2019

Gillibrand says Trump's border national emergency creates a 'very harmful precedent'

By Veronica Stracqualursi

New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand responded to President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the US southern border to unlock funds to build his border wall.

"I don't think he has the authority to do this and I think he's creating a very harmful precedent," Gillibrand told reporters while campaigning today in Exeter, New Hampshire.

She added: "I don't think that (Trump) has the constitutional basis to do it. I think that the power of the purse constitutionally resides with the House and the Senate. That is our responsibility under the US Constitution, not his."

Gillibrand, like Trump, predicted that there would be a flood of litigation against the Trump administration.

Gillibrand also argued that she doesn't think there's an emergency at the southern border in terms of a national security crisis.

"I think the only emergency is the humanitarian crisis he's caused at the border by separating families at the border, separating children from their parents. Not knowing where the parents and children are and not being able to reunite them. That is the humanitarian crisis he's created. And I visited those places and they're frightening. The fact we have for-profit prisons basically incarcerating families who need our held is immoral," she said.

11:17 a.m. ET, February 16, 2019

Biden hasn't reached a decision on running for President

Former Vice President Joe Biden told CNN's Arlette Saenz that he hasn't reached a decision about whether to run in 2020 for the Democratic presidential nomination but said "in the near term" he will let everyone know what he decides.

During a panel discussion on election security taking place as part of the Munich Security Forum, Biden said in a response to the question from Saenz, "No, haven't reached a decision. I am in the process of doing that and I will, in the near term, let everyone know what that decision is. I think there is a sufficient amount of time to do that. And I think we have a tendency, particularly in the States, to start the whole election process much too early. I think we should be focusing now on what needs to be done to alter some of the policies that are being promoted by the President."

From CNN's Kevin Bohn

10:12 a.m. ET, February 16, 2019

Where is everybody?

By Joe Ruiz

Here's what we know about where the Democratic contenders will be on Saturday:

Vice President Joe Biden, who is pondering a run, will speak at the Munich Security Conference in Germany at 9 a.m., ET.

Sen. Cory Booker has events in Portsmouth and North Conway, New Hampshire.

Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, will spend his day in the New Hampshire towns of Alstead, Raymond and Merrimack.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard hosts a town hall in Keene, New Hampshire, and a meet-and-greet in Concord, New Hampshire.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will be in Exeter, Keene, and Hanover, New Hampshire.

Sen. Kamala Harris will spend the day in South Carolina.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar will spend the morning in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, before heading to Mason City, Iowa, on Saturday afternoon.

Beto O'Rourke, who has said he would decide before the end of February on a presidential run, will give a speech this afternoon in Chicago.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, who told CNN late last month he was "close to making a decision" on running for President, has events in both Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is another candidate visiting two states today as she has events in Greenville, South Carolina, and Lawrenceville, Georgia.

John Delaney, Marianne Williamson and Andrew Yang have events later this holiday weekend.

10:50 a.m. ET, February 16, 2019

Biden shows unequivocal strong support for NATO

By Veronica Stracqualursi and Arlette Saenz

Former Vice President Joe Biden voiced strong support for NATO at the outset of his speech to the Munich Security Conference.

“I strongly support NATO. I believe it is the single most significant military alliance in the history of the world. And I think it's been the basis upon which we've been able to keep peace and stability for the past 70 years And it is the heart of our collective security. It is the basis upon which the US is able to exercise its responsibilities in other parts of the world as well," he said to the annual gathering of political leaders and security experts in Munich, Germany.

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized NATO allies over defense spending and, according to the New York Times, privately raised withdrawing the US from the alliance multiple times.

In Munich, Biden also saluted his close friend, the late Sen. John McCain, who headed the US delegation to the conference for many years. Biden recognized Cindy McCain, who was in the audience. He also talked about the importance of the European Union.

Biden's speech to the Munich Security Conference gives him an opportunity to showcase his foreign policy acumen as he weighs entering a Democratic presidential primary field that is currently light on national security credentials.