On December 11, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an order on Tuesday, December 9, requiring American diplomats to resume using the Times New Roman font in all official communications, replacing the Calibri font used during the tenure of former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Rubio described the previous use of Calibri as a “wasteful DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) project,” symbolizing a return to traditional standards and a focus on formality, professionalism, and norms in American diplomatic documents.
Times New Roman, known for its authority and professionalism, holds a longstanding position and inherent advantages. This font, originating in the 1930s and initially designed for The Times newspaper in the UK, aimed to enhance readability and printing efficiency. With its excellent balance and formal appearance, it quickly became the standard font for academic, government, and legal documents worldwide, exuding a strong sense of tradition and professionalism.
The State Department’s telegram noted that font choice shapes the professionalism of official documents. Times New Roman, a serif font, conveys dignity and structural stability, while the sans-serif font Calibri appears less formal in comparison.
Rubio stated that the reintroduction of Times New Roman aims to “restore the dignity and professionalism of the State Department’s written products” and aligns with former President Trump’s directive for a “unified voice in US foreign relations.”
Former Secretary Blinken switched to Calibri in early 2023, citing accessibility concerns as the motivation. Calibri, being a sans-serif font, some studies suggest it is easier to read for visually impaired individuals. At that time, the State Department viewed this switch as a diversity initiative aimed at better acceptance by disabled individuals.
This move reflects the Trump administration’s swift elimination of federal government DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) projects upon taking office. President Trump and critics argued that DEI initiatives discriminated against certain groups, such as white individuals and males, and undermined performance-based decision-making.
(This article was adapted from a report by Reuters)