"There has been a substitution of ideology for fact and scientific and engineering data in this administration"

This quote by Vinton Cerf is a criticism of the existing administration. It recommends that instead of counting on truths and scientific and engineering data, the administration has instead selected to count on ideology. This indicates that the administration is making choices based on their own beliefs and values, rather than on evidence and realities. This could lead to decisions that are not in the best interest of the general public, as they are not based on the most precise information. It might likewise lead to a lack of trust in the federal government, as individuals might feel that their choices are not being made in a transparent and evidence-based way. Cerf's quote is a caution that choices should be based on facts and data, rather than on ideology, in order to make sure that the best interests of the public are being served.