Roberts was not a surprise. W appointed him after his personal friend with weak judicial experience was rejected by almost everyone.
But, Gorsuch’s decision surprised everyone. Including the Federalist Society which put together the judicial appointment list of ideal conservative judges from which President Trump chose from.
This cannot possibly be blamed on Trump. Ths Gorsuch decision shocked the Federalist Society as well as longtime court watchers.
We got Alito after Harriet Myers was rejected.
Roberts was appointed before that.