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State Department orders return to Times New Roman
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed diplomats to abandon Calibri and resume using Times New Roman for all documents, effective 10 December. The move reverses a 2023 decision by his predecessor, Antony Blinken, who had adopted Calibri for its accessibility benefits.
Rationale behind the switch
Rubio described the earlier shift to Calibri as a "wasteful" diversity measure in an internal cable obtained by Reuters. He argued that Times New Roman, a serif font, conveys greater formality and professionalism, aligning with President Donald Trump's goal of presenting a "unified, professional voice" in government communications.
A State Department spokesperson stated that the change ensures documents reflect the "dignity, consistency, and formality expected in official correspondence."
Designer criticizes the reversal
Lucas de Groot, the Dutch designer who created Calibri, called the decision "both sad and hilarious" in an interview with BBC Newshour. He noted that Calibri was specifically designed to improve readability on digital screens, replacing Times New Roman for that purpose.
"Calibri was chosen to replace Times New Roman because it facilitates reading on modern computer screens. Now they want to go back to the old standard," de Groot said.
Accessibility concerns raised
Calibri, a sans-serif font, lacks the small decorative lines (serifs) found in Times New Roman. Sans-serif fonts are widely regarded as easier to read on screens, particularly for individuals with visual or reading impairments. Courts, legislatures, and other government bodies traditionally favor serif fonts for their formal appearance.
Broader policy shifts under Trump
The font change is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Earlier this month, the administration announced it would replace Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth-two federal holidays honoring Black history-with free admission to national parks on President Trump's birthday, which coincides with Flag Day.
