Former President Bill Clinton says he has no idea who the woman is in the now-infamous hot tub photo tied to the Jeffrey Epstein files — and, naturally, insists nothing inappropriate happened. Because if there’s one thing Americans have learned over the years, it’s that “I don’t recall” is practically a Clinton family tradition.

During a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Clinton reportedly told lawmakers he did not know the woman in the photo and did not have sex with her. Sources said he even suggested the picture might have been taken in a public hotel pool, which is certainly one way to describe a jacuzzi full of mystery.

Republicans praised Clinton for being forthcoming, which may be the first time that phrase has ever been written in the same sentence as his name. Rep. Nick Langworthy said Clinton was candid — possibly more candid than his lawyers would prefer — and noted the bipartisan tone of the questioning.

But Rep. Anna Paulina Luna wasn’t buying the innocent-vacation narrative. She suggested Epstein may have been running a “honeypot operation,” possibly targeting both Clintons. Translation: this wasn’t a social club, it was a trap — and everyone just happened to wander in.

In his opening statement, Clinton said he had “no idea” about Epstein’s crimes and emphasized what he “didn’t see” and “didn’t do.” He also warned lawmakers that he would frequently say he didn’t remember details, because speculating about things from decades ago wouldn’t be fair. Convenient? Maybe. Legally safe? Definitely.

Oversight Chairman James Comer noted that Epstein visited the White House 17 times while Clinton was president and that Clinton flew on Epstein’s plane at least 27 times — facts that tend to make people ask uncomfortable follow-up questions. Clinton responded that he never would have boarded that plane if he had known what was happening, and claimed Epstein hid his crimes from everyone until his 2008 guilty plea.

Comer also said questions would extend to Clinton’s relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving time for federal sex trafficking crimes. And the chairman added that his list of questions grew even longer after Hillary Clinton gave her own deposition the day before.

So once again, Americans are treated to the familiar spectacle: photos, flight logs, and visits piling up on one side, and carefully worded denials on the other. But the good news is this — transparency is finally being forced into rooms where it’s been missing for years. And with real oversight underway, the truth has a better chance of coming out than ever before.