The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a long-standing event that traditionally includes a comedic performance, has decided to forgo a comedian this year after controversy surrounding its scheduled entertainer,

The White House Correspondents Association canceled comedian Amber Ruffin from performing at its annual dinner because it wants to refocus the event on journalistic excellence.

She told hosts comedian Samantha Bee and Beast Chief Content Officer Joanna Coles that the Trump administration is “kind of a bunch of murderers,” adding that playing to both sides “makes them feel like human beings, but they shouldn’t get to feel that way, ‘cause they’re not.”

The group's board unanimously decided it would no longer feature a comedic performance, WHCA President Eugene Daniels wrote in an email Saturday.

Comedian Amber Ruffin was scheduled to perform at the annual dinner next month, but the White House Correspondents' Association announced on Saturday that it has scrapped her appearance. In a memo to members,

This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be no laughing matter.Organizers of the annual gala — meant to honor journalists covering Washington — announced Saturday, March 29, that comedian Amber Ruffin had been pulled as the