What's happened
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all US diplomatic posts to switch back to Times New Roman from Calibri, citing concerns over professionalism and decorum. The move follows a 2023 shift under Antony Blinken, which aimed to improve accessibility but was criticized as ineffective and wasteful. The change aligns with Trump-era policies to dismantle DEI initiatives.
What's behind the headline?
Rubio's directive to revert to Times New Roman underscores a broader political shift away from diversity and inclusion initiatives in the federal government. The emphasis on typography as a symbol of decorum and professionalism reveals how superficial elements are being politicized to signal ideological alignment. The move also highlights ongoing tensions between efforts to modernize government communications for accessibility and conservative efforts to restore traditional standards. This reversion may undermine accessibility improvements, but it consolidates a narrative of returning to 'merit-based' and 'professional' standards. The decision reflects a strategic effort to signal ideological consistency with Trump-era policies, potentially impacting diplomatic branding and internal morale. The focus on typography as a marker of professionalism is a symbolic battleground in the culture wars over DEI policies.
What the papers say
The articles from SBS, AP News, The Independent, and The New York Times collectively depict a coordinated effort by Rubio to undo the 2023 shift to Calibri, framing it as a move to restore decorum and professionalism. SBS notes that the department claims Calibri was less formal and clashed with official letterhead, while AP News emphasizes the cost and ineffectiveness of the switch. The Independent highlights the broader political context, linking the change to Trump’s efforts to dismantle DEI programs, and criticizes the move as petty. The New York Times provides a detailed account of the political motivations, framing the reversion as part of a wider ideological campaign against 'woke' policies. All sources agree that the change is symbolic, reflecting deeper ideological battles over the role of diversity initiatives in government.
How we got here
In 2023, the State Department adopted Calibri, a sans-serif font, to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities, following a recommendation from Antony Blinken. This was part of broader efforts to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. However, under Rubio's leadership, the department has reversed this decision, citing concerns over professionalism and cost, and has abolished many DEI programs aligned with former policies.
Go deeper
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Marco Antonio Rubio is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A Republican, Rubio previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
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Antony John Blinken is an American government official who served as United States Deputy Secretary of State from 2015 to 2017 and Deputy National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2015 under President Barack Obama.
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Calibri is a sans-serif typeface family designed by Luc de Groot in 2002–2004 and released to the general public in 2007, with Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista.
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Times New Roman is a serif typeface. It was commissioned by the British newspaper The Times in 1931 and conceived by Stanley Morison, the artistic adviser to the British branch of the printing equipment company Monotype, in collaboration with Victor Larde
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The United States Department of State, commonly referred to as the State Department, is a federal executive department responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy and international relations.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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