Yes they are, very much so. As such they may sometimes, for institutional not legal reasons, go "outside" their charters and use their resources for reasons not formally allowed.
Like spying on people who have broken no laws, looking for "character flaws", such as J.E. Hoovers spying on MLK.
The CIA in particular, may have those institutional reasons as may DIA and NSA (both part of DoD) for looking into BHO's background, and possibly leaking what they find. The leadership of those organizations may have personal reasons for wanting to "vet" BHO.
Tell me how would they do it?
Obviously you know!