How massively incorrect are the numbers in comparison to previous years? Was it anything unusual?

Here, take a look for yourself: https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cesnaicsrev.htm#2024

If this is an understood part of the process, why is it such a problem now?

Name some organizations that have "fire employees until we get success". Does that create a culture that prizes success, or just encourage employees to hide failure?