Companies get involved with politics all the time, and policy in the US seems to be far more about keeping corporations and the shareholder class happy than keeping voters happy.

So it's more that companies can't do certain limited things, but companies - and CEOs particularly - can do plenty of others.

Sure, in terms of lobbying, contributing to PACs, etc. But that's very rarely aligned with what the social justice activists want.

What they get, instead, is a performative pacifier. Which IMO makes the problem worse as they realize how unsatisfying it is and demand more and more strenuous performance.

There is something to what you're saying, but politics isn't only electoral. The two poles of attraction are pro-labor and pro-capital, so if startups do real politics in the workplace, it won't be to the benefit of anyone that isn't in management.

Apparently you were never acquainted with the Citizens United SCOTUS decision.

I'm aware, and tech companies support things like Prop 22 in California with their superPAC money.

While prostrating themselves about how much they care about intersectional social justice to keep their employees happy. Pure performance.