Restoring Tradition: Secretary of State Marco Rubio Reverses Font Change to Times New Roman
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently made headlines by reversing a Biden-era decision to switch the State Department's official typeface from Times New Roman to Calibri. Rubio criticized the move as wasteful and linked it to diversity efforts within the department. He issued a directive requiring all diplomatic posts to return to using Times New Roman, citing the need to restore decorum and professionalism to official department paperwork.
The decision to switch back to Times New Roman was framed as a rejection of the previous administration's focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs. Rubio argued that Calibri, a sans serif typeface, clashed with the department's official letterhead and was too informal for official documents. The move was seen as part of a broader effort to roll back diversity initiatives across the federal government.
The 2023 shift to Calibri was initially made under then-Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to improve accessibility for readers with disabilities and those using assistive technologies. Calibri's simpler shapes and wider spacing were considered more accessible for individuals with reading challenges. However, Rubio's order dismissed these accessibility benefits and emphasized the traditional and formal connotations of serif typefaces like Times New Roman.
Rubio's directive highlighted the historical origins of serif typefaces in Roman antiquity and their association with tradition, formality, and ceremony. He argued that serif typefaces, with their small strokes at the edges of characters, were more elegant and easier to distinguish, despite potentially creating a sense of clutter. The move to return to Times New Roman was aligned with a preference for classical style in federal architecture and official government entities.
While some diplomats expressed dissatisfaction with the changes made by Rubio, including the font switch, others welcomed the return to Times New Roman. The shift back to the traditional typeface was seen as a symbolic move to uphold the department's official correspondence standards. The debate over typefaces reflected broader tensions within the State Department and highlighted differing perspectives on the importance of tradition and accessibility in official communications.
In conclusion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio's decision to revert to Times New Roman as the State Department's official typeface has sparked a debate over the balance between tradition and accessibility in government communications. The move to return to a serif typeface like Times New Roman was framed as a rejection of the previous administration's diversity efforts and a reaffirmation of formal and classical standards in official paperwork. Rubio's directive reflects a broader trend of revisiting and reassessing diversity initiatives within federal agencies.