US State Department Returns to Times New Roman Font Under Rubio's Leadership
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed the State Department to abandon the Calibri typeface and return to Times New Roman for all official documents, reversing a policy implemented during the Biden administration.
The directive, issued to American diplomats on Wednesday, stated the change aims to "restore decorum and professionalism to the Department's written work products and abolish yet another wasteful DEIA program," according to Reuters.
Background to the Font Change
The Biden administration had adopted Calibri in 2023 for official State Department documents, arguing the sans serif typeface improved accessibility for people with visual disabilities. Calibri's cleaner design, without decorative flourishes, was considered easier to read for individuals with dyslexia or vision impairments.
Lucas de Groot, creator of the Calibri typeface, criticised the reversal as "both hilarious and regrettable." Speaking to The Independent, he explained that Calibri was specifically designed for modern computer screens and was selected by Microsoft in 2007 to replace Times New Roman as the default Office suite font.
"Calibri performs exceptionally well at small sizes and on standard office monitors, whereas serif fonts like Times New Roman tend to appear more distorted," de Groot said.
Rationale for the Return
According to State Department officials, the move aligns with President Trump's "One Voice for America's Foreign Relations" directive. The department considers Times New Roman "more formal and professional," noting its long-standing use by the White House, Supreme Court, and other government entities.
Supporters of serif fonts argue they make letters more elegant and distinguishable, despite adding visual complexity. These typefaces are traditionally associated with formality, ceremony, and institutional gravitas.
Diplomatic Response
The change has reportedly affected morale among State Department personnel, adding to concerns about other reforms introduced by Rubio. The New York Times reports that many diplomats are unhappy with the directive, though some traditionalists had previously objected to the Biden administration's shift to Calibri.
The previous administration had also increased standard font size from 14-point to 15-point, requiring additional keystrokes that some staff found cumbersome.
Broader Policy Context
This font reversal forms part of President Trump's broader initiative to eliminate what he terms "woke" and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across federal government. In January, Trump signed an executive order to end "radical and wasteful government DEI programmes and preferencing."
Federal employees working on DEI initiatives have reportedly been placed on leave, with agencies directed to wind down such efforts. However, some actions, including attempts to restrict DEI programmes in schools, have faced legal challenges in court.
The font directive takes effect immediately, marking another symbolic shift in the Trump administration's approach to federal government operations and institutional culture.