US State Department Switches Fonts: The Reason Behind the Shift from Calibri to Times New Roman

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US secretary of state Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor’s decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move, an internal department cable reveals.

The department under Antony Blinken in early January 2023 switched to Calibri, a modern sans-serif font, saying this was a more accessible font for people with disabilities because it did not have the decorative angular features and was the default in Microsoft products.

A cable dated 9 December sent to all US diplomatic posts said that typography shapes the professionalism of an official document and Calibri is informal compared to serif typefaces.

“To restore decorum and professionalism to the Department’s written work products and abolish yet another wasteful DEIA programme, the Department is returning to Times New Roman as its standard typeface,” the cable said.

The recent policy adjustment highlights a commitment to the President’s One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations directive, emphasizing the importance of the Department’s role in maintaining a cohesive and professional tone across all forms of communication. This initiative seeks to ensure that the United States speaks with a singular, authoritative voice in matters of international relations.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some studies suggest that sans-serif fonts, such as Calibri, are easier to read for those with certain visual disabilities.

Since assuming office in January, President Trump, representing the Republican Party, has swiftly acted to dismantle federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. His administration has actively worked to discourage the implementation of such programs in both the private sector and educational institutions. Notably, these efforts have included directives to terminate diversity officers within federal agencies and to withdraw financial support from a broad array of DEI-focused programs. This move reflects a significant shift in the federal approach to promoting diversity and inclusion under the current administration.

DEI policies became more widespread after nationwide protests in 2020 against police killings of unarmed Black people, spurring a conservative backlash. Trump and other critics of diversity initiatives say they are discriminatory against white people and men and have eroded merit-based decision-making.