Trump-backed politician Darren Bailey says it’s time to ‘move on’, hours after Chicago massacre

“The shooter is still at large, so let’s pray for justice and then let’s move on and celebrate this nation’s independence,” Bailey said in prayer at an event in Skokie, about 20 minutes away.

“Bless us and protect us as we spend our day celebrating the most amazing country.”

He apologized for his comments shortly after.

“I am heartbroken by today’s tragic events and by the pain and loss felt by so many,” he said in a statement.

“My intention was to pray for the victims and those affected by today’s tragedy and that the shooter will be arrested and prosecuted without further loss.”

“If you’re angry today, I’m here to tell you to be angry,” he said.

“While we only celebrate the 4th of July once a year, mass shootings have become our weekly tradition.”

The suspect named in the Chicago shooting has since been taken into custody.

Republicans believed Chicago’s rising murder rate would put the gubernatorial race within reach in the November election.

But Bailey’s nomination has created a serious headache for the party in the Democratic-leaning state.

Bailey, who hails from a downstate area near Kentucky, has focused her campaign on looser gun regulations, criminalizing abortion and opposing COVID-19 safety measures.

The right-wing politician was backed by Donald Trump, who lost the state by over a million votes in 2020.

Bailey won the Republican primary in a landslide last week.