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Rubio Orders State Department to Restore Times New Roman for Official Documents

The order is presented as a return to formality following a 2023 switch to Calibri made for accessibility.

Overview

  • An internal memo instructed State Department staff on Tuesday to use Times New Roman for official communications effective immediately.
  • Secretary Marco Rubio described Calibri as informal and said the change would restore dignity and professionalism while eliminating a “wasteful” DEIA measure.
  • Antony Blinken made Calibri the standard in early 2023 on advice from the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, citing better access for people using assistive technologies.
  • Disability and advocacy groups publicly welcomed the 2023 shift to Calibri, which Rubio has now reversed after abolishing the department’s diversity and inclusion office.
  • Coverage of the directive is based on an internal memo reported by Reuters and the New York Times, with outlets framing the move as part of a broader rollback of DEIA policies under President Donald Trump.