USA (Parliament Politics Magazine) – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a switch from Calibri to Times New Roman for all official documents effective 10 December 2025, reversing a Biden-era accessibility change as part of efforts to eliminate DEIA initiatives. The move, described as restoring professionalism, drew reactions from font designer Lucas de Groot and State Department spokespeople amid broader Trump administration reforms.
Inverted Pyramid Lead
The US State Department mandated a return to Times New Roman font for official communications on 10 December 2025, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio framing it as a rejection of wasteful diversity programmes. Diplomats must now use the serif typeface instead of Calibri, adopted in 2023 by Antony Blinken to aid readability for those with disabilities. A department cable cited alignment with President Trump’s “One Voice” directive for unified professionalism.
Rubio’s memo, titled “Return to Tradition: Times New Roman 14-Point Font Required for All Department Paper,” instructed global missions to implement the change immediately. As reported by Reuters and covered in The Independent, the directive stated:
“To restore decorum and professionalism to the Department’s written work products and abolish yet another wasteful DEIA program, the Department is returning to Times New Roman as its standard typeface.”
A State Department spokesperson told BBC News: “Aligning the department’s practices with this standard ensures our communications embody the same dignity, consistency, and formality in official government correspondence.” The change applies to both internal and external documents, overturning Blinken’s sans-serif shift praised by accessibility advocates.
Policy Directive Details
Marco Rubio’s internal cable, acquired by The New York Times, described Calibri as “informal” and clashing with official letterhead. He argued the Biden change failed its accessibility goals, noting no reduction in department remediation cases. The memo positioned Times New Roman, used from 2004 to 2023, as the traditional standard before Courier New.
As per The Washington Times, Rubio wrote:
“To restore decorum and professionalism to the Department’s written work products and abolish yet another wasteful DEIA program, the Department is returning to Times New Roman as its standard typeface.”
This aligns with Trump’s objective for a professional voice in foreign relations.
The Guardian reported the cable’s assertion that typography affects document professionalism, with serif fonts like Times New Roman suiting courts and legislatures where written records demand authority. The change reverts font size to 14-point from Blinken’s 15-point increase.
Historical Font Changes
Antony Blinken implemented Calibri in 2023 following State Department diversity office recommendations to improve readability for low-vision, dyslexia, and screen reader users. BBC News noted Calibri’s design for modern screens enhanced accessibility over Times New Roman’s ornate serifs.
The New York Times detailed Blinken’s move as part of DEIA efforts, which Rubio later disbanded. Prior to 2004, Courier New was standard. Rubio acknowledged the switch was not “illegal or radical” but wasteful nonetheless.
Reactions from Experts
Lucas de Groot, Calibri’s Dutch creator, told BBC Newshour the reversion was “sad and hilarious.” He explained: “Calibri was designed to enhance readability on contemporary computer screens – it was selected to replace TNR – the font that Rubio now wishes to revert to.” De Groot highlighted sans-serif benefits for digital viewing.
State Department diplomats expressed mixed views; traditionalists welcomed the return, but morale reportedly dipped amid Rubio’s reforms. Accessibility advocates had praised Blinken’s original decision for simpler shapes aiding letter recognition.
A department spokesperson informed The Independent:
“This formatting standard aligns with the President’s One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations directive, underscoring the Department’s responsibility to present a unified, professional voice in all communications.”
They added:
“Serif typefaces remain the standard in courts, legislatures, and across federal agencies where the permanence and authority of the written record are paramount.”
Media Coverage Attribution
BBC News covered the story, quoting de Groot and the spokesperson on dignity in correspondence. They detailed Blinken’s accessibility rationale and Rubio’s effective date of 10 December.
The Independent reported Rubio ordering diplomats to ditch Calibri, calling it the latest “war on woke” battle. They included the cable quote and spokesperson remarks on serif standards.
The Washington Times noted the undo of Biden’s accessibility move, citing Rubio’s memo via Reuters and New York Times acquisition. They referenced the DEIA abolition angle.
The New York Times published the memo, labelling it a victim in the war against “woke.” They explained Calibri’s accessibility merits and Rubio’s dismissal of reduced cases.
The Guardian described it as cutting “wasteful” DEIA, reviewing the cable on formality and aligning with Trump’s voice directive. They noted sans-serif research benefits.
Broader Administration Context
This font shift exemplifies Trump administration efforts to purge Biden DEIA remnants across agencies. Rubio’s directive to missions underscores global uniformity. Economic Times highlighted the “font drama” with Rubio mandating Times New Roman.
Office Watch and WCHS TV echoed the switch for professionalism over DEI, tracing Blinken’s 2023 directive. No official White House comment appeared in sources.
Technical Font Comparison
Times New Roman, a serif font, conveys formality with small flourishes aiding print flow. Calibri, sans-serif and Microsoft default, offers open spacing for screens and disabilities. Research supports sans-serifs for impairments, per Guardian and NYT reports.
Rubio prioritised tradition over these metrics, dismissing Calibri as mismatched. Diplomats must adjust keystrokes and templates accordingly.
Implications for Diplomacy
The change mandates 14-point Times New Roman universally, potentially affecting thousands of cables and papers. Critics see it as symbolic anti-DEI, while supporters view it as decorum restoration. No accessibility rollback data post-change yet available.
Staff dissatisfaction with Rubio’s leadership noted alongside the policy. The directive exemplifies micro-reforms in federal operations.
Global Reach
Sent to all US diplomatic missions, the cable ensures consistent presentation abroad. Reuters’ review, cited widely, confirmed the “abolish wasteful DEIA” phrasing. International outlets like Economic Times framed it as Washington drama.