Rubio orders return to Times New Roman font over 'wasteful' Calibri

December 10, 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has mandated that State Department diplomats switch back to Times New Roman font from Calibri, characterizing the previous administration's font choice as an unnecessary diversity initiative. The Biden administration had adopted Calibri in 2023 specifically because it improved accessibility for individuals with visual impairments and reading difficulties. Rubio justifies the reversal by claiming Times New Roman appears more formal and professional, aligning with the Trump administration's broader efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across government agencies.

Who is affected

State Department diplomats and staff
People with visual disabilities and reading impairments who benefit from Calibri's accessibility features
Lucas de Groot (designer of Calibri typeface)
Recipients of State Department external and internal documents

What action is being taken

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font
The Trump administration is eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives across government

Why it matters

This change matters because it reverses an accessibility improvement that specifically helped people with visual disabilities and reading impairments read government documents more easily on screens. It also signals the Trump administration's broader prioritization of traditional formality over functional accessibility considerations, and represents a continued dismantling of diversity and inclusion initiatives implemented by the previous administration.

What's next

The new font requirements go into effect on December 10, applying to both external and internal State Department documents.

Read full article from source: BBC