The author might have had better luck by using an external storage device to boot the Mac and delete unneeded files on the internal disk from there:
Use an external storage device as a Mac startup disk https://support.apple.com/en-us/111336
Was surprised to learn that with Apple silicon-based Macs, not all ports are equal when it comes to external booting:
If you're using a Mac computer with Apple silicon, your Mac has one or more USB or Thunderbolt ports that have a type USB-C connector. While you're installing macOS on your storage device, it matters which of these ports you use. After installation is complete, you can connect your storage device to any of them.
* Mac laptop computer: Use any USB-C port except the leftmost USB-C port when facing the ports on the left side of the Mac.
* iMac: Use any USB-C port except the rightmost USB-C port when facing the back of the Mac.
* Mac mini: Use any USB-C port except the leftmost USB-C port when facing the back of the Mac.
* Mac Studio: Use any USB-C port except the rightmost USB-C port when facing the back of the Mac.
* Mac Pro with desktop enclosure: Use any USB-C port except the one on the top of the Mac that is farthest from the power button.
* Mac Pro with rack enclosure: Use any USB-C port except the one on the front of the Mac that's closest to the power button.
Use an external storage device as a Mac startup disk https://support.apple.com/en-us/111336
Was surprised to learn that with Apple silicon-based Macs, not all ports are equal when it comes to external booting:
If you're using a Mac computer with Apple silicon, your Mac has one or more USB or Thunderbolt ports that have a type USB-C connector. While you're installing macOS on your storage device, it matters which of these ports you use. After installation is complete, you can connect your storage device to any of them.
* Mac laptop computer: Use any USB-C port except the leftmost USB-C port when facing the ports on the left side of the Mac.
* iMac: Use any USB-C port except the rightmost USB-C port when facing the back of the Mac.
* Mac mini: Use any USB-C port except the leftmost USB-C port when facing the back of the Mac.
* Mac Studio: Use any USB-C port except the rightmost USB-C port when facing the back of the Mac.
* Mac Pro with desktop enclosure: Use any USB-C port except the one on the top of the Mac that is farthest from the power button.
* Mac Pro with rack enclosure: Use any USB-C port except the one on the front of the Mac that's closest to the power button.