Marco Rubio prohibits the use of Calibri font at the State Department, citing concerns over excessive DEI associations

Calibri Font Removed from State Department Use

The Calibri typeface has become the latest casualty in the Trump administration, dismissed due to its perceived ties to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.

In a move reminiscent of satirical headlines, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially prohibited the use of Calibri, instructing diplomats to revert to Times New Roman for all formal documentation, according to a leaked memo obtained by the New York Times.

Calibri, a sans-serif font, was introduced in 2023 during President Biden’s administration. The decision to adopt it came from the department’s former DEI office, which has since been dissolved under Rubio as part of broader efforts to roll back DEI policies.

The font was selected to enhance readability, particularly for individuals with visual impairments. Sans-serif fonts, characterized by their simple, unadorned letterforms, are often considered more accessible for those with conditions such as dyslexia or low vision, though studies have yet to conclusively determine the impact of serifs on legibility.

Rubio’s directive establishes Times New Roman as the new standard, claiming this change will “restore decorum and professionalism” to official communications. While he acknowledged that Calibri was not the most egregious example of DEI practices, he criticized its use as contributing to what he described as a decline in the quality of State Department correspondence.

Despite Calibri’s unpopularity among some—at least according to informal polling among TechCrunch staff—the criticism seems severe for a simple font choice.

The New York Times also noted that Calibri’s adoption in 2023 was met with internal resistance. Font preferences, much like sports allegiances, tend to evoke strong opinions and rivalries.

Although Calibri itself did not respond to requests for comment, many would agree that Times New Roman feels somewhat antiquated; even the New York Times phased it out nearly twenty years ago.

The State Department has yet to issue an official statement regarding this change.