TL;DR
On Dec. 9 Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed State Department documents to use 14-point Times New Roman, reversing a 2023 policy that set 15-point Calibri as the default. The memo frames the move as restoring tradition and aligning with other institutions, but critics and typographers argue the aesthetic and historical claims are weak.
What happened
On December 9, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo titled “Return to Tradition” that required State Department documents to adopt 14-point Times New Roman, replacing a 2023 directive that had set 15-point Calibri as the default. The memo, obtained and published by John Gruber, gives three principal reasons: that serif faces better convey formality and authority, that the change aligns with the White House, the courts, and historical practice, and that the earlier switch to Calibri was a cosmetic move tied to DEIA politics. The memo sits against a broader executive push to eliminate DEIA-related activities, citing Executive Order 14151. Design specialists and documents cited in the memo undercut some of its claims: Times New Roman was created for The Times of London in 1931 with newspaper-driven goals, the Supreme Court uses Century Schoolbook, Congress uses other serif families for bills, and critics say both Times New Roman and Calibri are imperfect fits for ceremonial or highly formal government documents.
Why it matters
- Typography choices are being used as a visible signal in a wider policy shift that targets DEIA programs and priorities.
- The memo frames design decisions as nonpolitical standards, but the change aligns with broader administrative directives and symbolism.
- Practical and historical factors — defaults, software bundles, and institutional inertia — have shaped which typefaces carry perceived authority.
- Experts cited in the source argue that neither Times New Roman nor Calibri is an obviously superior choice for conveying solemnity or legal gravitas.
Key facts
- On December 9, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the “Return to Tradition” memo requiring 14-point Times New Roman.
- The 2023 directive had set 15-point Calibri as the State Department’s default typeface.
- John Gruber obtained and published the full text of Rubio’s memo.
- The memo’s three rationales: serifs signal formality and authority; alignment with other institutions and history; and that the 2023 change was tied to DEIA politics.
- Executive Order 14151, cited in coverage, ordered federal agencies to terminate DEIA-related activities.
- Times New Roman was designed in 1931 for The Times of London and optimized for newsprint: thinner strokes, narrow letterforms, and a relatively large x-height.
- Design commentators and some courts have warned that Times New Roman can read as a default of convenience rather than a deliberate stylistic choice.
- The U.S. Supreme Court’s opinions are typeset in Century Schoolbook; Congressional PDFs use Cheltenham for titles and De Vinne for body text.
- Calibri is a humanist sans-serif made default in Microsoft Office beginning with Office 2007 and is described as having warm, rounded features.
What to watch next
- Whether other federal agencies or departments follow the State Department’s directive: not confirmed in the source.
- Any formal guidance or enforcement steps from the State Department detailing implementation across offices: not confirmed in the source.
- Public or institutional responses from courts, Congress, or typographers to the memo’s aesthetic and political claims: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Serif: A style of typeface characterized by small decorative strokes (serifs) at the ends of letter strokes; often associated with traditional print typography.
- Sans-serif: A style of typeface without serifs, typically with cleaner, simpler strokes; commonly used for digital displays and contemporary design.
- x-height: The height of lowercase letters in a typeface, measured by the height of the letter 'x'; affects legibility and perceived size.
- Default typeface: The font automatically applied by software or templates unless a user selects an alternative; defaults can shape widespread typographic habits.
- DEIA: An acronym for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, commonly used to describe related policies and programs in institutions.
Reader FAQ
Why did the State Department switch back to Times New Roman?
The memo cites three reasons: a belief that serifs convey professionalism and authority, alignment with other institutions and historical practice, and that the prior Calibri choice was a cosmetic move tied to DEIA politics.
What font had the State Department been using since 2023?
The 2023 directive set 15-point Calibri as the default typeface.
Does the Supreme Court use Times New Roman?
No; the Supreme Court’s opinions are typeset in Century Schoolbook, not Times New Roman.
Will this change affect how legal filings are accepted or formatted?
not confirmed in the source
Is Times New Roman inherently more formal or authoritative?
The source reports that formality is largely socially constructed; Times New Roman’s perceived authority owes much to institutional habit and practical origins rather than an intrinsic ceremonial quality.
Times New American: A Tale of Two Fonts Dec. 30, 2025 A less romantic truth is that aesthetic standards rarely travel alone; power tends to follow in their wake. An…
Sources
- Calibri Wasn't Fit for the State Department; Neither Is Times New Roman
- State Department trades Calibri for Times New Roman
- Calibri font becomes the latest DEI target as Rubio orders …
- Trump's state department orders return to Times New Roman
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