After wrongfully assaulting Jesse Pinkman, Hank’s place in the DEA comes under high scrutiny. Did Hank get fired from the DEA?
Hank was suspended without pay, but not fired from the DEA. Jesse rescinds his threat to press charges, and Hank is later reinstated following a recovery from upcoming injuries.
While suspended, Hank is required to give up his weapon and badge. A case of unfortunate timing, Hank is attacked by The Cousins while not possessing a weapon to defend himself.
Hank attacks Jesse
In Season 3, episode 7, titled “One Minute,” Hank brutally attacks Jesse. While investigating the “blue stuff” product, Hank makes a connection to the RV that Jesse and Walter cook within.
Hank tracks Jesse and the RV to a nearby scrapyard. While there, he nearly uncovers Jesse and Walter inside the RV, but he receives a phone call that Marie is in the hospital. Walter does want to get caught, but not this early into the show.
After leaving Jesse and the RV behind, Hank drives quickly to the hospital. He realizes the phone call is a hoax, but the RV has already been destroyed. Correctly assuming that Jesse faked the call to coax Hank into leaving, he becomes furious.
Hank drives directly to Jesse’s home. He illegally enters Jesse’s living room and beats him into an unconscious state. Once the adrenaline wears off, Hank realizes the mistake he’s made and calls an ambulance.
Hank is suspended by DEA, not fired
The Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) informs Hank that he may want to consult a lawyer. Later, a preliminary meeting is set up where Hank gives his side of the story to his colleagues. The ASAC then alerts Hank that gentlemen from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) will be arriving tomorrow morning for further questioning.
Later, we see Hank sitting at a table with the OPR agents. One of the men confirms with Hank that this is the statement he wants to give, and Hank says yes.
Hank says the written report is “how it happened,” and he’s ready to face the consequences. The ASAC then stands up. In light of these facts, the ASAC proclaims, Hank is now suspended without pay.
The ASAC then asks Hank to hand over his weapon and badge. He does so while seemingly oddly satisfied with his truthful and professional decision.
However, Hank receives some immediate good news following the meeting. The ASAC catches up to Hank and informs him of a rumor that Jesse Pinkman is no longer pressing charges.
Despite this, Hank does not receive his weapon and badge back. The investigation is technically still ongoing, and Jesse hasn’t officially made his decision on paper yet.
So that’s the answer. Hank is not fired from the DEA, but rather suspended without pay.