Yes, because the manager is not paid anymore to do code and code review but to preserve political capital, manage team and other stakeholders as well. Glad that it provided a perspective and see your manager with more empathy.

Well, I'm not sure this particular example helps me see my manager with more empathy. I think the manager in your example is too concerned with people pleasing.

"Political capital" is irrelevant and only exists when we permit it to exist.