US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered the US State Department to switch back to Times New Roman font for all official government documents, in what appears to be an attempt to counteract the adoption of a more accessible sans-serif font, Calibri. This move comes as part of his broader efforts to purge any perceived elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the department.
Rubio's memo, which was obtained by news outlets, explicitly states that the switch is aimed at "restoring decorum and professionalism" to the department's written work products. The language used in the memo is telling, as it implies that Calibri, a font widely used for its ease of use by people with visual disabilities, was somehow tied to DEI initiatives.
DEIA programs are designed to promote equality and inclusion within government, and many sans-serif fonts like Calibri have been adopted due to their accessibility features. However, Rubio's order appears to be driven by a more sinister motive - to alienate certain groups from the department's communications.
The move is also part of President Donald Trump's broader agenda to remake the US into an authoritarian and less inclusive society. By ordering a return to Times New Roman, Rubio and Trump are effectively sending a message that any language or communication style deemed too "woke" will be suppressed.
In reality, font choices in government may seem like a trivial matter, but this move is part of a larger effort to exclude certain groups from the national conversation. By targeting accessibility features and DEI initiatives, Trump and Rubio are attempting to remake the US into a more exclusive society - one where only those who align with their vision are welcome.
The switch away from Calibri may seem like a minor adjustment, but it's a clear indication of the administration's intentions: to silence dissenting voices, exclude marginalized groups, and promote a narrow, authoritarian agenda.
Rubio's memo, which was obtained by news outlets, explicitly states that the switch is aimed at "restoring decorum and professionalism" to the department's written work products. The language used in the memo is telling, as it implies that Calibri, a font widely used for its ease of use by people with visual disabilities, was somehow tied to DEI initiatives.
DEIA programs are designed to promote equality and inclusion within government, and many sans-serif fonts like Calibri have been adopted due to their accessibility features. However, Rubio's order appears to be driven by a more sinister motive - to alienate certain groups from the department's communications.
The move is also part of President Donald Trump's broader agenda to remake the US into an authoritarian and less inclusive society. By ordering a return to Times New Roman, Rubio and Trump are effectively sending a message that any language or communication style deemed too "woke" will be suppressed.
In reality, font choices in government may seem like a trivial matter, but this move is part of a larger effort to exclude certain groups from the national conversation. By targeting accessibility features and DEI initiatives, Trump and Rubio are attempting to remake the US into a more exclusive society - one where only those who align with their vision are welcome.
The switch away from Calibri may seem like a minor adjustment, but it's a clear indication of the administration's intentions: to silence dissenting voices, exclude marginalized groups, and promote a narrow, authoritarian agenda.