But Mr. Karl, the chief White House correspondent at ABC News, said he welcomed some comic relief at a tense moment for the nation.

“The dinner has a serious message, but we also believe it is as important as ever to be able to laugh — at ourselves, as well as at the people we cover,” Mr. Karl wrote in an email. “I’d argue that humor is more important now than ever.”

Mr. Thompson is in his 17th season at “Saturday Night Live,” where his impressions include Charles Barkley and Steve Harvey. Mr. Minhaj’s “Patriot Act” tackles politics and policy; his 2017 routine at the dinner mixed zingers about the Trump administration with his personal reflections on growing up in America as an immigrant.

The weekend surrounding the association’s dinner was once a highlight of the Washington social calendar, with Hollywood talent agencies hosting parties with open bars and closed guest lists.

Mr. Karl is making sure to underscore the importance of the occasion, too. The founding charter of the Correspondents’ Association, dating from 1914, was rediscovered during a White House renovation last year. The association arranged to restore the document, and it will be unveiled at the National Archives on April 20.

“It’s an important document,” Mr. Karl said. “A tangible reminder that reporters have been working on the grounds of the White House for well over a century.”

The dinner itself — held in the dreary ballroom of the Washington Hilton — will have a refreshed look. The yellowish curtain of years past will be replaced by large screens, and the evening will be overseen by a veteran television producer, Bob Bain, whose résumé includes a pair of Trevor Noah’s Netflix specials.

Whether Mr. Trump plans to go remains unknown: The White House did not respond to a request about the president’s intentions.